Tamil Nadu CM Vijay expands free bus travel scheme to benefit 84 lakh women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the Vettri Payanam Thittam, an expanded version of the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, on Gandhi Jayanti. The new policy aims to provide "no-fare" travel for women on all public bus services operated by transport corporations across Tamil Nadu, except in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts.

The expanded scheme covers 12,695 (approximately 69%) of the 18,413 buses operated by the seven State transport corporations, benefiting an estimated 84.32 lakh women daily with around 1,68,500 trips per day. The scheme is expected to cost the State government approximately ₹6,000 crore annually.

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