Yogi Govt's Rakhi Gift: CM Yogi Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Senior Women and Festival Rides
As the festive fervor of Raksha Bandhan grips Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has rolled out a major welfare initiative for women across the state. Inaugurating the Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Matrishakti Free Bus Travel Scheme in Lucknow, the Chief Minister personally handed over symbolic smart cards, sarees, and sweet boxes to beneficiaries. Synchronized events were organized across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh to mark the rollout of this comprehensive transit facility.
Free Festival Transit for All Women and Lifelong Passes for Seniors
The state government has structured the rollout into two distinct phases to maximize convenience during the festive season:
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Three-Day Free Transit: From August 27 through midnight on August 29, all women—along with accompanying children—can travel completely free of charge across ordinary and city roadways buses.
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Lifelong Senior Benefit: Beginning August 29, women aged 60 and above will enjoy permanent free travel on standard UPSRTC buses across the state simply by presenting valid identification such as a voter ID card or approved government identity documents.
Honoring Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar and Expanding Women's Welfare
Naming the initiative after the legendary queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, CM Yogi highlighted her historic legacy of self-reliance and good governance. He noted that working women's hostels are also being constructed in her honor across the state.
Contrasting current safety and development standards with previous administrations, the Chief Minister emphasized that the double-engine government has placed daughters and women at the center of every welfare policy. Key milestones include increasing women police personnel from 10,000 in 2017 to 45,000 (with recruitment targeting 50,000), implementing direct benefit transfers, awarding housing ownership rights under the Gharauni Yojana, and distributing Ujjwala LPG connections. Furthermore, the administration plans to deploy 4,000 women digital entrepreneurs across Nyay Panchayats and provide scooters to 50,000 daughters later this year.
