Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced a major expansion of the Vettri Payanam scheme, allowing women to travel for free in deluxe, express, and mofussil buses starting Gandhi Jayanti.

  • CM Vijay expanded the 'Vettri Payanam' scheme to include premium bus categories.
  • Women can now travel free in Express, LSS, and Deluxe buses.
  • The expansion takes effect on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).
  • The scheme covers inter-district mofussil buses and hill area routes.

In a significant move to bolster women's mobility, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on Monday the expansion of the Vettri Payanam scheme (formerly known as Vidiyal Payanam). The decision will allow women to travel free of charge not only on ordinary buses but also on Express, LSS, and Deluxe buses, significantly widening the scope of the existing welfare initiative.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister noted that the current scheme is limited to ordinary buses in urban and municipal areas, with a 40 km limit in hilly terrains. The new expansion will bridge this gap, enabling women to utilize mofussil buses plying between districts and traveling across hilly regions without fare restrictions. This massive undertaking is set to come into effect on October 2, 2026, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.

Read Also:The Shifting Political Landscape of Tamil Nadu and Its Implications

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this expansion is a strategic move to enhance the socio-economic participation of women in the state. By reducing the cost of long-distance travel, the government is directly supporting female students commuting to distant colleges and working women traveling across district lines, thereby fostering greater economic independence.

The inclusion of deluxe and mofussil routes marks a shift from basic mobility to comprehensive regional connectivity for women.

Crucially, the Chief Minister emphasized that there is no income ceiling or restrictive criteria to avail of this benefit. This ensures that the scheme remains truly inclusive, reaching women from all socio-economic backgrounds. Furthermore, in a progressive move, transgender persons will also be eligible to benefit from this expanded transport facility.

Historical Background

The initiative, which began as the Vidiyal Payanam scheme, has been a cornerstone of Tamil Nadu's social welfare policy. By transitioning to the Vettri Payanam model, the administration aims to modernize public transport benefits and address the evolving needs of a growing workforce and student population.

Did You Know?: The expansion of this scheme is estimated to cost the state exchequer approximately ₹6,000 crore annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which types of buses will now offer free travel to women?
Women can now travel for free in Ordinary, Express, LSS, and Deluxe buses, including mofussil services.

2. Is there any eligibility criteria based on income?
No, there is no income ceiling or restriction to avail of the scheme.