'Bus Wali Didi': Free Bus Service Launched for Female Students in Chhattisgarh
MLA Bhawna Bohra launches free bus service for female students in Kui-Kukdur, Chhattisgarh, to boost higher education access.
In a major boost to female education in the tribal heartlands of Chhattisgarh, a new free bus service has been launched to ensure that distance and cost no longer stand in the way of higher learning. The initiative, aimed at female college students in the Kui-Kukdur region of Kabirdham district, was officially rolled out by Pandariya MLA Bhawna Bohra on Monday.
The service is designed to specifically support students from the Baiga tribal region, where navigating long distances to reach educational institutions has historically been a significant barrier. With 10 buses set to operate across the Pandariya Assembly constituency, the move is expected to drastically reduce dropout rates among young women.
From 'Ambulance Didi' to 'Bus Wali Didi'
The launch has earned MLA Bhawna Bohra a new moniker among the local population. Previously celebrated as 'Ambulance Didi' for her dedicated healthcare initiatives, she is now being hailed as 'Bus Wali Didi' by the community. This new chapter in her service follows her previous efforts to bring mobile testing laboratories and free ambulance services to remote forest villages.
The program, held at the helipad ground in Kui-Kukdur, was also a hub for broader regional development. Chhattisgarh Cabinet Minister Tank Ram Verma attended the event to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for various infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 6 crore. These include:
- A new Tehsil office building
- A Mahtari Sadan
- A new college building
Breaking Barriers for Tribal Students
Speaking at the event, Cabinet Minister Tank Ram Verma praised the initiative, noting that the lack of transportation was a primary reason many students were forced to abandon their studies. He credited the efforts of MLA Bohra and the vision of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for bringing these changes to the region.
"Students who had dropped out or could not attend college due to a lack of transportation will now be able to attend classes. Their education will continue uninterrupted, and they will be able to move forward," Verma stated.
For families in economically weaker sections, the daily expense of commuting to college was often an insurmountable financial burden. The free service removes this hurdle, allowing girls from remote forest villages to reach their campuses safely and affordably.
Voices from the Ground
The students of the region expressed immense relief and excitement regarding the new service. Many had previously relied on walking long distances or using bicycles, while others simply stayed home due to the arduous journey.
"Students used to travel from very far away, which was difficult. Now that the bus service has started, commuting will be much easier. Earlier, many students had to walk or travel by bicycle, while some could not attend college because of the long distances," one student shared.
Beyond education and health, the MLA's work in Pandariya extends to social welfare, including the operation of the Lakshya Centre, which provides free coaching for competitive examinations to help local youth secure better futures.