Yogi flags off 51 buses to be operated by women drivers, conductors
Adityanath said that the safety, respect, and self-reliance of women had always been a challenge for the state.
3 min read
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flags off the buses in Ayodhya on Sunday. (Image source: PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched the ‘Mission Mahila Sarathi’ initiative under the state’s Mission Shakti Abhiyan and flagged 51 buses that will be operated exclusively by women as drivers and conductors.
During the programme in Ayodhya, the chief minister said, “There could not be a more appropriate occasion when the date of ‘Maha Ashtami’ is being linked with Mission Shakti along with the launch of Mission Mahila Sarathi. The initiative seeks to connect and empower women drivers and conductors.”
“The Uttar Pradesh State RoadTransport Corporation (UPSRTC) is your companion in times of crisis. Now, daughters symbolising ‘Mission Shakti’ will drive these vehicles as drivers, fulfilling the role of companions,” he added.
Adityanath said that the safety, respect, and self-reliance of women had always been a challenge for the state. “That is why Indian society has always believed that where women are respected, their dignity is protected. The UP government has consistently promoted this idea in the fourth phase of Mission Shakti,” he said.
Adityanath said that so far, more than 1.5 lakh women have been employed on various posts in Uttar Pradesh Police and the state government. “But, the dream of having women as drivers and conductors in the UPSRTC has also been realised. Now, daughters have become fighter pilots too,” he said.
He said that the UPSRTC is considered the lifeline of transportation within the state. “India became independent on August 15, 1947, but the first bus of the corporation had started operations in May 1947. Since then, the transport corporation has been setting long-distance routes. Now, UPSRTC is making progress and expanding its operations.
Bus stations in the state will now be like airports, for which work has already begun,” the chief minister said.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, around 40 lakh people from Uttar Pradesh working in different parts of the country became jobless and returned home. UPSRTC rose to this challenge. Around 11,000-12,000 buses with drivers and conductors converged at the borders, where they helped UP citizens return home, and people from other states reach the UP border,” he said.
“Now, the focus is shifting from buses running on diesel towards electric buses. There will be a significant increase in the number of electric buses in the UPSRTC fleet and contracts. These buses will not cause pollution, noise, and have better speed,” he said. The CM said that the state government will provide incentives worth Rs 20 lakh to individuals buying electric buses. “We have allocated Rs 400 crore in this regard,” he added.
Adityanath also said that the government needed to buy several buses as part of preparations for the 2025 Kumbh Mela. “For better connectivity, the UP government has formulated an Electric Vehicles (EV) policy. Electric buses do not use diesel, petrol, or CNG; they will be charged with electricity. They can travel up to 300 km on a single charge,” the CM said.
Meanwhile, earlier during the day, Adityanath offered prayers at Chhoti Devkali temple on Ashtami and met the saints there.
You May Like
