Tamil Nadu’s initiative to support tribal women in Jawadhu Hills will soon provide free bus rides, enhancing mobility and accessibility. Starting at the end of August, two daily buses will be dedicated to this service.
Free Bus Ride Scheme
- Start Date: August-end
- Service Details: At least two buses every day exclusively for tribal women
- Purpose: To support women traveling from the hills to the plains
Recent Developments
- Inauguration Event: 32 new buses flagged off in Tiruvannamalai
- Attendees: Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu, Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian
- Cost: ₹12.18 crore
Current Bus Services
- Existing Services: Four daily bus services to Jawadhu Hills
- Route: Polur-Vellore through Jamunamarathur
- Departure: First bus from Polur at 4 a.m.; returns at 1:20 p.m.
- Coverage: Jawadhu Hills has 38 villages and 272 hamlets
New Developments
- Relaxed Policy: Free bus rides for women will extend beyond the 35 km limit, reaching Jamunamarathur, located 47 km from Polur.
- Current Free Bus Services: 127 buses in Tiruvannamalai district, serving around 83,000 commuters daily
Future Plans
- Extended Coverage: Additional services and relaxation of distance restrictions to enhance accessibility for tribal women in remote areas
This initiative marks a significant step towards improving transportation equity and accessibility for tribal communities in Tamil Nadu.
Source : thehindu
