Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended the duration of the free bus travel facility for women in the state on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
He announced that this free travel service will be available from 6 am on August 27 until midnight on August 29. Female passengers can travel for free, accompanied by one companion, on buses operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation.
The chief minister instructed the transport department, police, administration, and other relevant departments to coordinate efforts and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place to help women return home safely and conveniently for the festival.
To enhance security during the festive season, he directed an increase in patrolling across cities, expressways, highways, and major routes.
The chief minister held a meeting on Sunday at his official residence with officials from departments such as the transport corporation/department, urban development, police, and traffic, in view of Raksha Bandhan, the UP government said in a statement.
He emphasised that this free travel facility should also be implemented in over 900 buses operated by the urban development department for the occasion. Additionally, he instructed that credentials for drivers of private buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis be checked to ensure the safety of female passengers.
Adityanath directed that coordination meetings be held with bus, taxi, and auto-tempo unions in all districts by August 25. He stressed that passengers should only be charged the officially prescribed fares, and measures must be in place to prevent overloading, promote courteous behaviour towards passengers, and ensure adequate amenities.
He ordered the verification of drivers operating taxis and e-rickshaws during Raksha Bandhan, ensuring that only verified and competent drivers are allowed to operate vehicles.
Key locations include Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal-Mirzapur, and Gorakhpur. Action plans should be prepared in advance, considering the expected traffic load at bus terminals, railway stations, markets, and city entry and exit points, he said.
The chief minister directed that adequate arrangements for CCTV surveillance, drinking water, and cleanliness be ensured at bus stations during the festive season.
He also instructed the health department to make specific arrangements for first aid at bus stations on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Furthermore, the chief minister mandated continuous action against overloading, speeding, overcharging of fares, and other irregularities. He highlighted the importance of strict enforcement against violations such as riding without helmets, driving without seatbelts, drunk driving, and the unauthorised transportation of passengers in goods vehicles and tractors.
Adityanath said that all concerned departments should work in coordination to ensure road safety and maximise the utilisation of the ‘Golden Hour’ in the event of an accident.
He also directed that efforts be made to integrate relief and rescue centres with technology, ensuring immediate access to the nearest relief centre, trauma care facility, and ambulance as soon as an accident is reported.
