Tirth Yatra Chaos at Jaipur Junction: 120 Senior Citizens Denied Tickets After Being Called for Pilgrimage, Tempers Flare

Jaipur.
A major uproar erupted at Jaipur Junction on Tuesday after 120 senior citizens, who had arrived for the government-sponsored pilgrimage under the Senior Citizen Tirth Yatra Scheme, were denied train tickets despite being formally called for the journey. The elderly passengers—many of them women—waited the entire day at the station, only to be told there were not enough seats, leaving them angry and disappointed.

Called for Pilgrimage, Then Sent Back Without Tickets

According to the passengers, officials from the Devasthan Department had contacted them and asked them to report at Jaipur Junction for the pilgrimage to Gangasagar (West Bengal). Believing their selection was confirmed, they reached the station early and waited for hours.

However, by afternoon, they were informed that the seats were full and no tickets could be issued to them. Many of the elderly passengers said they had been sitting hungry and thirsty in the waiting hall since morning. The denial of tickets triggered loud protests on the platform.

120 Seniors Turned Away Due to Overbooking

Under the state-run pilgrimage scheme, 1,000 senior citizens were scheduled to travel by the Rajasthan Vahini AC train that departed from Jaipur. Officials admitted that the Devasthan Department had once again called more applicants than the available seats, assuming extra passengers would not turn up.

But this time, a significantly higher number of seniors arrived—resulting in 120 extra passengers who had to be sent back.

Overcalling from Jaipur Division Leads to Chaos

Seat allocation under the scheme was fixed as follows:

• Udaipur Division – 350 seats
• Ajmer Division – 350 seats
• Jaipur Division – 270 seats

However, anticipating fewer turnouts from Jaipur—as seen in previous years—the department called 350 passengers instead of 270, leading to an overflow of 120 seniors at the station.

Officials stated that while the intention was to avoid vacant seats, the turnout exceeded expectations, creating the crisis.

Department Promises Priority in Next Pilgrimage Train

Devasthan Department Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Devtwal assured that another pilgrimage train will depart on 18 December, and all the seniors who were denied tickets on Tuesday will be given top priority in the next batch.

He urged the disappointed passengers not to lose hope, stating:
“Those who could not travel today will be taken on the next scheduled pilgrimage next week.”