In a festive gesture to mark the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan on Saturday, August 9, several state governments across India have announced free bus travel for women. These initiatives are designed to make it easier for sisters to visit their brothers, ensuring safe and convenient travel during the festival.
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the special offers:
Uttar Pradesh: Three-Day Free Travel
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended a special gift to women in the state. Free travel has been announced on all UPSRTC and city buses for a three-day period, beginning at 6 AM on August 8 and lasting until midnight on August 10. To accommodate the festive rush, the state government has arranged for the deployment of extra buses across both urban and rural routes.
Haryana: Women and Children Travel Free
Haryana will offer free bus rides to women and children under the age of 15. The facility is applicable on all Haryana Roadways buses and will be active from noon on August 8 until midnight on August 9. According to Transport Minister Anil Vij, this scheme, approved by CM Nayab Singh Saini, applies to intra-state routes as well as buses traveling to Delhi and Chandigarh.
Rajasthan: Two-Day Free Ride
In a first, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has extended free bus rides for women for two days, on August 9 and August 10. This service is valid on all state-run buses but is limited to travel within Rajasthan’s borders only.
Madhya Pradesh: Free Rides and Cash Benefits
The festival is particularly special in Madhya Pradesh, where women in Bhopal and Indore will enjoy free travel on city buses on August 9. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also announced a festive bonus for beneficiaries of the “Ladli Behna Yojana.” In addition to a monthly deposit of ₹1,500, a special festive gift of ₹250 will be credited to their bank accounts.
Uttarakhand: A Continuing Tradition
Uttarakhand is continuing its annual practice of offering free bus travel for women and children. This service, provided by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, ensures that the state’s residents can celebrate the festival with ease.
Chandigarh & Tricity: Limited Free Service
In the tricity area of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, women can avail free rides on CTU and CCBSS buses. This service, however, is limited to travel within the tricity area only.
States with Year-Round Free Travel
It is worth noting that some states and union territories, including Delhi, Punjab, and Karnataka, already provide free government bus services for women throughout the year. As such, no additional announcement was required for the Raksha Bandhan festival. In Delhi, this service is specifically for local women on DTC buses.
