Raksha Bandhan: UP to offer free bus rides for women from Aug 27-29

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended free bus travel for women in the state during Raksha Bandhan, directing officials to ensure safe and convenient travel for women returning home for the festival.

The free travel facility will be available from 6 am on August 27 until midnight on August 29. Women will be able to travel free of charge, along with one companion, on buses operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation.

Adityanath issued the directions during a meeting with officials from the transport, police, traffic and urban development departments at his official residence on Sunday.

Free Travel on Urban Buses Too

The chief minister directed that the facility also be extended to more than 900 buses operated by the urban development department.

He instructed officials to coordinate with bus, taxi and auto-rickshaw unions across all districts by August 25 and ensure passengers are charged only the prescribed fares. Officials were also told to prevent overloading and ensure courteous behaviour and adequate passenger facilities.

To strengthen women’s safety, the government will verify the credentials of drivers operating private buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws during the festive period. Only verified and competent drivers will be allowed to operate.

Increased Patrolling, Security Measures

Adityanath ordered increased police patrolling across cities, expressways, highways and major routes during Raksha Bandhan.

Special arrangements will be made at major destinations and high-footfall locations, including Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal-Mirzapur and Gorakhpur.

Officials have been asked to prepare traffic and crowd-management plans in advance for bus terminals, railway stations, markets and major entry and exit points.

The chief minister also directed authorities to ensure CCTV surveillance, drinking water, cleanliness and other essential facilities at bus stations throughout the festive period.