Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Launches Vettri Payanam Thittam to Expand Free Bus Travel for Women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on [date] launched the Vettri Payanam Thittam, a significant expansion of the existing Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, which for five years has enabled women to travel free of charge on select bus services. The new program extends this benefit to a broader network of buses across the state, aiming to improve women's access to education, employment, and healthcare.

The Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, introduced in 2019, has been credited with increasing female ridership on public transport and reducing financial burdens for women from low-income households. The Vettri Payanam Thittam builds on this success by covering additional routes and services, including those operated by state-run transport corporations. Official estimates suggest the expansion could benefit millions of women daily, with the government allocating substantial funds to subsidize the initiative.

This move is seen as a strategic effort by the Vijay administration to bolster women's empowerment and garner political goodwill ahead of upcoming elections. While supporters praise the scheme for promoting gender-inclusive mobility, critics question its long-term fiscal sustainability and impact on transport corporation revenues. The government has pledged to monitor the program's rollout and adjust as needed, with full implementation expected over the coming months.