District Collector Vishu Mahajan inaugurating the Vetri Payanam scheme in Thoothukudi Anna bus stand on Friday.
| Photo Credit: RAJESH N
Thoothukudi District Collector Vishu Mahajan inaugurated the ‘Vetri Payanam’, a scheme which provides no fare travel for women at the Arignar Anna Bus Stand here on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Collector said that the scheme would strengthen women’s freedom of mobility and economic independence, thereby contributing to the families, he added.
Mr. Mahajan noted that the government has prioritised social justice and sought to ensure that no woman living in any part of the district would lose her opportunities due to transport fares. The no fare travel for women scheme has been expanded and implemented in a manner that benefits a large number of people, he said.
A total of 85 Vetri Payanam’, buses would be operated on various routes in the Thoothukudi region, making 723 trips a day.
Thoothukudi Corporation commissioner S. Priyanka, Thoothukudi Sub Collector Vivek Yadav, General Manager of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Thoothukudi Region, Ramakrishnan and other officials were present.
In Kanniyakumari district, District Collector M. Prathap launched the Vetri Payanam, scheme at Christopher Bus Stand in Vadasery.
Mr. Prathap said that 435 city buses operating across 12 branches of TNSTC in the district would be operated under the ‘Vetri Payanam Scheme’, and of the 294 mofussil buses in the district 65 would be operated as buses which provide no fair travel for women. He added that of the 729 city and mofussil buses in the district, 500 buses had been covered under the ‘Vetri Payanam’, scheme.
Assistant Collector (training) R. Monika, General Manager of TNSTC, Nagercoil Region, Balasubramanian and other officials were present.
Published – October 02, 2026 07:34 pm IST
