Lucknow, August 24: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an extension of free bus travel for women in the state to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Women will now be able to travel for free from 6 AM on August 27 until midnight on August 29.
Female passengers can travel for free on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses, accompanied by one companion. To ensure that sisters can reach their homes safely and conveniently during the festival, the transport, police, administration, and relevant departments will collaborate to make all necessary arrangements. Increased patrolling will be implemented on cities, expressways, highways, and major routes in light of the festive season.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a crucial meeting with officials from the transport corporation, urban development, police, and traffic departments regarding Raksha Bandhan. He emphasized the need for a smooth, safe, and organized transport and traffic system during the festival. Given the expected high volume of mothers, sisters, and daughters traveling, the transport department, traffic police, and local administration must coordinate effectively to complete all necessary preparations on time.
The Chief Minister also directed the urban development department to ensure this arrangement is in place for over 900 buses. He instructed the verification of private bus, auto, and taxi drivers to guarantee the safety of female passengers.
Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28, and the period from the morning of August 25 to the night of August 29 is expected to be significant for travel. With a holiday on August 26, there is likely to be an increase in long-distance and inter-district travel.
The state government has arranged for free travel for women and one companion on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses during Raksha Bandhan. Additional buses will also be deployed.
The Chief Minister instructed that coordination meetings with bus, taxi, and auto-tempo unions be held in all districts by August 25. Only the designated fare should be charged, overloading must be avoided, and passengers should be treated courteously. Proper facilities for passengers should be ensured. Verification of taxi and e-rickshaw drivers operating during Raksha Bandhan should be conducted, allowing only verified and competent drivers to operate vehicles.
He also directed special traffic management at key religious and tourist sites during the festival. Arrangements should be made at locations such as Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal-Mirzapur, and Gorakhpur. A pre-planned strategy should be in place to manage traffic pressure at bus stations, railway stations, markets, and city entry and exit points.
The Chief Minister insisted on the availability of CCTV, drinking water, and cleanliness at bus stations during the festival. Additionally, he requested that the health department arrange for first aid services at bus stations on Raksha Bandhan. Continuous action should be taken against overloading, speeding, excessive fare collection, and other irregularities. Strict measures should be enforced against violations such as not wearing helmets, not using seat belts, driving under the influence, and unauthorized transportation of passengers in freight vehicles and tractors.
He emphasized that all relevant departments should work together for road safety and maximize the use of the “Golden Hour” in case of accidents. Efforts should also be made to connect relief and rescue centers with technology, ensuring immediate access to the nearest center, trauma care, and ambulances upon receiving accident notifications.
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of linking transport services directly to citizen convenience, aiming to make transportation in the state safer, simpler, and technology-driven. All departments must work with sensitivity, especially considering the travel of women and families during Raksha Bandhan, ensuring that no passenger faces unnecessary difficulties during the festival.
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