Tamil Nadu Launches Expanded Women's Free Bus Travel Scheme 'Vetri Payanam'

Times of India · politics

Tamil Nadu's expanded women's free bus travel initiative, 'Vetri Payanam', was launched at Coimbatore's Gandhipuram bus stand by Backward Classes Welfare Minister V Sampath Kumar. This scheme extends free travel to all city and suburban buses within an 80km radius, covering 2,108 buses in the Coimbatore division. The minister stated that voters had punished critics who previously derided the scheme as 'osi payanam' or free journey. The government aims to ensure women's safety and dignity through this initiative.