Free Bus Travel for Women in Uttar Pradesh on Raksha Bandhan – Commitment to Safety and Security
For nine straight years, the government of Uttar Pradesh never to be outdone has announced that women can again travel free of charge on buses throughout the state, on Raksha Bandhan. This initiative offered by Uttar Pradesh originally started in 2017, has already benefited many more than 1.23 crore of women and demonstrates the government’s desire to provide safe, accessible, and affordable transport options for women of all classifications.
This year, Raksha Bandhan is on August 9, and the state has provided a free travel offer for women from August 8 to August 10. What originally started as a generous act by CM Adityanath during his first year in office has become a much-loved ritual that is deeply celebrated throughout Uttar Pradesh.
The program highlights the true essence of Raksha Bandhan – a festival that conveys protection and respect related to sisters or siblings. The message from government is clear – that the thread is a promise to protect the dignity and safety of women while they travel.
Since its inception in 2017, the uptake of free bus travel for women has consistently increased. The number of women benefiting from the program in its first year was 11 lakh while almost 20 lakh women travelled within this program in 2024. The most significant uptake was in 2023 with over 29 lakh women using the free travel, illustrating the increasing impact of the program.
Over the years, the state government has invested significantly in this initiative. In 2024 alone, nearly 19.8 lakh women traveled free of cost, with the government covering ₹19.87 crore in fares. The previous years reflect a similar trend of increasing beneficiaries and government support:
2023: 29.29 lakh women benefited, costing ₹27.66 crore
2022: 22.32 lakh women, ₹18.98 crore spent
2021: 9.63 lakh women, ₹8.91 crore spent
2020: 7.36 lakh women, ₹4.82 crore spent
2019: 12.04 lakh women, ₹7.68 crore spent
2018: 11.69 lakh women, ₹7.41 crore spent
2017: 11.16 lakh women, ₹6.08 crore spent
The government states that this scheme has proven to be highly impactful for women who belong to rural areas, backward areas, and other economically weaker section of society, providing them with the independence and confidence to travel without the cost.
As a result, by continuing this scheme, Uttar Pradesh is not only recognizing the importance of the cultural festival of Raksha Bandhan, but is also demonstrating its ongoing commitment to women’, empowerment and safety which it is mandated to do, and which is already woven into the meaning of the festival itself.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/
#FreeTravelForWomen#WomenEmpowerment#TravelWithSafety#WomenWelfare
#printpublication#printmagazine #womenindia
