Chennai, Sep 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday reviewed preparations for the expansion of the State government’s free bus travel scheme for women, which will be launched on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
The high-level meeting, held at the Secretariat in Chennai, examined the operational and technical arrangements being made for the smooth implementation of the expanded scheme, renamed Vettri Payanam. It was earlier known as Vidiyal Payanam.
Under the expanded programme, women will be allowed to travel free of cost for distances of up to 40 km in five additional categories of government buses. These include Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary services. The expansion is expected to significantly improve access to affordable public transport for women, particularly those living in rural, semi-urban, hilly and suburban areas.
It will also help women who depend on buses for employment, education, healthcare and other daily needs.
According to an official release, 12,692 buses have been brought under the expanded scheme. The government estimates that the initiative will benefit nearly 84.32 lakh women across Tamil Nadu. The government has completed the process of linking Electronic Ticket Machines in the selected buses with the system required to implement the scheme.
A trial run will be conducted on September 27 to identify and rectify possible technical or operational issues before the formal launch.
Officials from the Transport Department and State transport corporations briefed the Chief Minister on the preparedness of bus depots, staff deployment, ticketing arrangements, passenger awareness measures and monitoring mechanisms.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that women passengers do not face difficulties while using the service. The expanded scheme follows an announcement made by Vijay through a suo motu statement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The government decided to extend the programme beyond ordinary town buses to widen its reach and provide greater mobility to women across the State.
The existing free travel programme has been presented by the government as an important welfare measure aimed at reducing household transport expenses and strengthening women’s economic independence.
Detailed instructions are expected to be issued to transport corporations and bus crews ahead of the October 2 rollout. The government will also monitor passenger response and the implementation of the scheme after its launch.
Source: IANS
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