CM Vijay to Launch Expanded 'Vetri Payanam' Free Bus Scheme
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay expands the Vetri Payanam scheme to include Express and Deluxe buses, benefiting 84 lakh women daily starting October 2.
In a major boost to women's mobility, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is set to launch the expanded Vetri Payanam free bus scheme on October 2. Marking the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the initiative will significantly broaden the scope of free travel for women and transgender individuals across the state.
Massive Expansion of Travel Benefits
While the current scheme primarily allows women to travel free of cost in ordinary buses within metropolitan and urban areas, the new expansion brings much more variety to the table. Under the updated Vetri Payanam scheme, women can now avail free travel in:
- Express, LSS, and Deluxe buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas.
- Ordinary suburban buses traveling between districts.
- Ordinary buses in hill areas located beyond 40 kilometres.
This expansion follows an announcement made by Chief Minister Vijay under Rule 110 in the Legislative Assembly last month. The scale of the project is immense, covering a total of 12,692 buses operated by the seven transport corporations under the Tamil Nadu government. It is estimated that approximately 84.32 lakh women will benefit from this service every single day.
Launch Details and Implementation
The official launch of the scheme is scheduled to take place in Chennai, specifically at Koyambedu and Ambattur. To ensure smooth operations, the government has already released instructional videos detailing the specific duties to be performed by bus conductors once the expanded scheme goes live.
A String of Welfare Initiatives
The launch of Vetri Payanam follows another significant welfare move by the state government. On September 28, Chief Minister Vijay introduced the 'Thai Maman Thanga Mothiram' (Maternal Uncle's Gold Ring) scheme at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
Under this maternal welfare initiative, eligible newborns in government hospitals across the state will receive a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring. Minister Arun Raj highlighted that the scheme celebrates the sacred bond between a maternal uncle and his sister's child, offering a gesture of love and security to new families.
While the gold ring scheme is being implemented across Tamil Nadu, it will temporarily exclude Maduranthakam and Dharapuram due to upcoming bypolls. This series of announcements underscores the state government's focus on strengthening maternal, child, and women-centric welfare programs.