SchemesMonday, 24 August 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu expands free bus travel for women to express, LSS, deluxe and mofussil buses from 2 Oct 2026
Tamil Nadu will extend the Vettri Payanam scheme to more bus categories from Gandhi Jayanti 2026, with an estimated annual cost of ₹6,000 crore.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 24 August 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly that the Vettri Payanam scheme would be expanded from 2 October 2026 to allow free travel for women on express, LSS, deluxe and mofussil buses.
Key specifics
- The scheme was earlier limited to ordinary buses in cities and municipal areas, and to hill areas up to 40 km.
- From 2 October 2026, women can travel free on express, LSS, deluxe and mofussil buses.
- The scheme has no income ceiling or other restriction, according to the Chief Minister’s statement.
- Girl students can use the expanded scheme to travel to colleges in faraway places across Tamil Nadu.
- The annual cost of the expansion is estimated at about ₹6,000 crore.
Exam lens
TNPSC may ask scheme expansion, eligible beneficiaries, and date-based questions: Vettri Payanam, 2 October 2026, express/LSS/deluxe/mofussil buses, no income ceiling, ₹6,000 crore. One-liner: which Tamil Nadu scheme was widened for women on Gandhi Jayanti 2026?