CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday launched the expanded Vettri Payanam scheme, extending free government bus travel to additional categories of services for women and transgender persons across the state. The scheme was launched on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
During the launch in Chennai, Vijay travelled on a government bus and personally distributed free tickets to women passengers. He boarded the 76B service operating between Koyambedu and Kancheepuram at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and interacted with passengers.
Under the expanded scheme, free travel has been extended to Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe buses operating in urban areas, along with Mofussil Ordinary buses and Ghat Ordinary buses on hill routes beyond 40 km.
A total of around 12,692–12,695 government buses operated by seven state transport undertakings have been brought under the expanded facility. The government estimates that approximately 84.32 lakh women could benefit every day. There is no income ceiling for beneficiaries and no restriction on the number of trips.
The expansion builds on Tamil Nadu’s existing free-travel programme for women. Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the wider coverage is intended to help women and students access education, employment, healthcare and other essential services without transportation costs becoming a barrier.
The state government has estimated an annual expenditure of around ₹6,000 crore for the expanded scheme. Electronic ticketing machines have also been integrated to record free journeys.
Hashtags: #TamilNaduState #Bhopal #Desksource #Tamil #Nadu #Vijay #DeskSource #Turns #Bus #Conductor
