Over 16 lakh women enjoy free and safe travel on Raksha Bandhan via Transport Corporation buses

Lucknow : On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the Yogi government continued its tradition of offering free and safe travel for women across the state. Over 16 lakh women benefitted from this service this year. The Transport Corporation extended this offer from midnight on August 18 until midnight on August 19, allowing women to travel free of charge throughout the day. The state government incurred an expenditure exceeding Rs 16 crore for this effort.

It is worth noting that for several years, the Yogi government has been offering free ride for women on Transport Corporation buses during Raksha Bandhan. This year, the government again provided a 24-hour travel facility, which was utilized by women across every district of the state. Additionally, the Transport Corporation deployed 2,000 extra buses to ensure smooth travel for women.

Transport Corporation Managing Director Masoom Ali Sarwar stated, “Following the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, we arranged for free travel on Transport Corporation buses for mothers and sisters across the state. In total, 16,01,649 women benefited from this free travel service over a 24-hour period from midnight on August 18 to midnight on August 19. The full cost of this initiative, amounting to Rs 16,25,95,910, was covered by the corporation.”

He noted that this initiative by the Chief Minister received widespread appreciation across the state, with women benefiting from the service expressing their desire for it to continue in the future. He added that the free bus service made Raksha Bandhan particularly special for women, who embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm and in a peaceful manner across all districts. There have been no reports of any disputes or issues during the event.

MD Masoom Ali Sarwar stated that the Transport Corporation made extensive arrangements for Raksha Bandhan. “During this period, drivers and conductors received incentives of up to Rs 3,000, and workshop staff received incentives of Rs 1,200. All drivers and conductors were in uniform, and no accidents were reported. Breath analyzer tests confirmed that no driver was under the influence, and there have been no reports of misconduct towards women.”

He further added that at the bus stations, seating and drinking water facilities were provided for all passengers, including women. All employees were fully alert, ensuring that women faced no inconvenience. The Transport Corporation staff worked diligently around the clock to ensure smooth operations.

Transport Corporation provided one crore free trips to women from 2017 to 2024

The Yogi government initiated this free travel service for women in 2017, soon after assuming power, to prioritize women’s interests. In its inaugural year, 11,16,332 women traveled free of charge, with the state incurring an expense of Rs 6 crore 8 lakh 13 thousand 105.

Similarly, in 2018, the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 7 crore 41 lakh 17 thousand 987 in providing free travel to 11 lakh 69 thousand 226 women. In 2019, 12 lakh 4 thousand 85 women travelled free of cost, while the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 7 crore 68 lakh 37 thousand 8335. In 2020, 7 lakh 36 thousand 605 women travelled free of cost, on which the government spent Rs 4 crore 82 lakh 48 thousand 521. In 2021, the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 8 crore 90 lakh 98 thousand on the free travel of 9 lakh 63 thousand 466 women.

In 2022, the government spent Rs 18 crore 98 lakh 34 thousand 421 for the travel of 22 lakh 32 thousand 322 women. In 2023, 29 lakh 29 thousand 474 women availed this facility and the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 27 crore 65 lakh 66 thousand 615 on this.

Approximately 1.5 lakh women also received free travel facilities in city buses

Along with the Transport Corporation, on the instructions of CM Yogi, approximately 1.5 lakh women benefited from free travel on Rakshabandhan in city transport buses as well. The government spent about Rs 50 lakh on this initiative. 

As per the data provided by the city transport system, which operates under the Department of Urban Development, a total of 1,44,634 women utilized the facility within 24 hours, from midnight on August 18 to midnight on August 19.They were provided zero valuation tickets, for which the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 47,92,796.

Under the instructions of the Yogi government, women were offered free travel in 15 cities. This initiative provided free travel to 2,217 women in Jhansi, 7,700 in Prayagraj, 22,600 in Kanpur, 15,189 in Meerut, 5,890 in Ghaziabad, 3,393 in Moradabad, 2,700 in Bareilly, 5,009 in Shahjahanpur, 21,424 in Agra, 6,059 in Mathura, 1,991 in Aligarh, 24,924 in Lucknow, 5,390 in Gorakhpur, 17,828 in Varanasi, and 2,300 women in Ayodhya.