Bus to every village, facilities to every village: Over 12,000 villages set for transformation

Less noise, more work: Yogi government’s new model of connectivity

Not just roads, but access to services: Rural transport to open pathways to opportunity

Lucknow, March 2026 : To give a new direction to rural transport development in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi government has taken a major and decisive step. Under the Chief Minister Gram Transport Scheme, 2026, bus services will be launched in around 12,200 villages that have so far lacked access to public transport.

This initiative is not limited to merely running buses; it aims to ensure real connectivity to every village. The clear message is: wherever a bus goes, there will also be a connecting road, and from there, access to education, healthcare, employment, and markets will open up.

Spending on rural transport has increased from 4.2% of the household budget in 2011-12 to about 7.5% in 2022-23. This is the difference that sets Yogi government apart from others. With a focus on less noise and more work, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remains committed to delivering services to the last person.

In recent years, a vast network of roads has been laid across the state, yet over 12,000 villages remained disconnected from essential services. Recognizing this gap, the government has redefined connectivity. The goal is no longer just building roads, but ensuring regular transport on those roads.

The scheme aims to connect 59,163 gram sabhas. Notably, in about 5,000 villages where large buses cannot reach, smaller buses with up to 28 seats will be deployed. This clearly outlines a roadmap to integrate even remote areas into the mainstream of development.

Bus services will be ensured at least twice a day in every gram panchayat, providing people with reliable and regular transport. Services will begin at 10 AM, and buses must return to villages by 8 PM. Permits will initially be granted for 10 years, with the possibility of extension.

The scheme also emphasizes local employment generation. Drivers and support staff will be recruited from nearby villages, creating job opportunities for rural youth. Private operators will also be involved and encouraged through tax relief and permit incentives. This model will not only strengthen the transport system but also accelerate the rural economy.

To ensure effective implementation, committees led by District Magistrates will oversee operations, fare determination, and monitoring. It will be mandatory for buses to return to villages by night, ensuring continuity of service.

This initiative will bring relief to millions of rural families who have so far depended on expensive and irregular means of transport. Transportation costs will decrease, and nearly 1.5 crore students will find it easier to reach schools, which is also expected to reduce dropout rates.

Overall, the Chief Minister Gram Transport Scheme makes it clear that the true measure of development is its reach to the last person. Yogi government is setting a new benchmark by linking connectivity not just to roads, but to access, opportunity, and a dignified life.