Yogi Govt Grants Free Roadways Bus Travel to Elderly Women in UP

Lucknow : In a major welfare initiative, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced free travel facilities in state-run roadways buses for senior women citizens. To execute this scheme, the state allocated ₹100 crore as compensation to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) in the first supplementary budget for the financial year 2026-27.

This policy directly fulfills a key promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra. Official statistics reveal that UPSRTC buses accommodate nearly 1.6 million daily passengers, with women making up roughly 15 percent of total travelers. Elderly women account for approximately 6 percent of daily ridership, representing over 100,000 senior female commuters every day who will benefit directly from this scheme. The government estimates the overall annual expense for this initiative at ₹264 crore. Transport officials noted that the scheme would likely boost revenue rather than cause losses, as senior women often travel with companions who pay standard fares.

Alongside the transport relief, the UP government allocated an additional ₹1,094.40 crore to the Women Welfare Department to reinforce social security networks:

• Destitute Women Pension Scheme: ₹930 crore designated to support widows facing financial hardship.
• Mukhyamantri Baal Seva Yojana: ₹110 crore sanctioned for the care, education, and development of orphaned children.
• Rani Laxmibai Mahila Evam Baal Samman Kosh: ₹54.30 crore earmarked for prompt assistance to victimized women and children.
• Mukhyamantri Shakti Samriddhi Yojana: ₹10 lakh allocated to spur economic self-reliance among women.

These budgetary provisions underscore the state government's commitment to empowering vulnerable populations, ensuring safety, and building inclusive governance across Uttar Pradesh.