Latest news with #MagalirVidiyalPayanam
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Contradictory statements on forming of govt. will cost AIADMK, BJP dearly in polls: Udhayanidhi
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday said that contradictory statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the formation of the next government in Tamil Nadu will not even fetch votes for NDA alliance in 2026 Assembly elections. Addressing at Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for North zone of DMK here, Mr. Udhayanidhi said that Mr. Shah has been repeatedly saying that only coalition government by the NDA will be formed after 2026 elections whereas Mr. Palaniswami keeps insisting that the AIADMK will form government on its own by securing a majority of seats in the Assembly. 'Tamil Nadu voters are watching such contradictory statements of leaders in these two parties. Such statements clearly show that there is no unity among NDA alliance partners,' he said. The DMK's youth wing secretary criticised Mr. Palaniswami for allying the AIADMK, a political party formed in the name of former Chief Minister and Dravidian stalwart C.N. Annadurai, with the national saffron party, the BJP, that strongly opposes rationalistic principles, for 2026 polls. 'People are laughing at the AIADMK after the party joined hands with the BJP to which it earlier said that will never get aligned with BJP for electoral gains. The AIADMK supremo has pledged his party for his vested interests,' he said. On Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (women's basic income) scheme, Mr. Udhayanidhi gave hope to those who were left-out in the initial phase of the enrolment under the scheme. He said that a census is being conducted to identify beneficiaries who were left to get enrolled under the scheme. All left-out eligible beneficiaries, who will be enrolled from this month (July), will get the financial assistance from September onwards, he said. Earlier, Mr. Udhayanidhi flagged two new bus services for women commuters under Magalir Vidiyal Payanam (free bus travel scheme for women) in Tiruvannamalai town. Mr. Stalin also flagged four more air-conditioned buses - two each for Chennai and Coimbatore. As a gesture of assuming office after Tiruvannamalai became a Municipal Corporation, he handed over the sceptre (sengol) to new Mayor Nirmala Velmaran in the presence of Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu, Collector K. Tharpagaraj and Corporation Commissioner, S. Selva Balaji.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
Free bus rides linked to rising footboard travel
It's around 8 am, and the all-too-familiar scene of crowded govt buses with students clinging perilously out of them come into view on Trichy city roads. Notwithstanding the advent of buses fitted with automatic doors, students continue to travel on footboards, putting their lives at risk. Commuting is more challenging for students travelling from suburban and rural areas. But why this overcrowding when around 278 of the 430 buses plying in the Trichy region of TNSTC Kumbakonam division operate in the city? "Due to the combination of free services, the number of people travelling in govt buses has increased over the past four years," says an official of the division. Free travel on govt buses for students began in Tamil Nadu in 1996, while for women, it was introduced in 2021 under Magalir Vidiyal Payanam. With the increase in passenger numbers, there is a corresponding demand for more buses. Transportation activists say the shortage is compelling students to get accustomed to footboard travel. "Though free bus service is a noble service, it is imperative to increase the fleet to ensure footboard travel is ruled out," says P. Ayyarappan, founder, Road User Welfare Trust. "Some students, mostly boys aged 15 to 17, do not follow our advice. They do it for the sake of thrill though seats are available," says R Selvam, a bus conductor. "Except for buses that are nearing condemnation, we have fitted automatic doors on all the buses," says D Sathish Kumar, general manager of Trichy region of TNSTC Kumbakonam division. However, the fact remains that due to the crowd, the doors remain open on many buses. Officials told TOI that they have posted officers, checking inspectors, and driving inspectors at important peripheral loading points and toll plazas during during peak hours. They monitor footboard travellers, especially school and college students and ensure that bus doors remain closed. Activists sought increased frequency of buses on routes with overcrowding. "TNSTC should survey the routes where students travel in large numbers and operate special buses during peak hours, or increase the number of buses on the route," says Ayyarappan. K Dasarathan, managing director, TNSTC, says they call bus drivers for refreshment training if they commit errors. "If students are at fault, we bring it to the notice of school headmasters and sensitise them during morning prayers," says he. He added that TNSTC staff visit schools periodically to counsel students in the presence of teachers to create awareness.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Women in Tiruchy flag issues in pink bus services
TIRUCHY: Despite the Tamil Nadu government's flagship Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme offering free bus services for women, many female commuters in Tiruchy are facing issues, with many free town buses allegedly skipping designated stops, forcing them to endure long waits or shell out for private transport. The scheme, which sees around 2.98 lakh women utilise free buses daily in Tiruchy, was launched to empower women through financial savings and safe travel. To date, 36.6 crore women have reportedly benefited from the service in the district. However, recent months have seen a surge in complaints regarding the inconsistent operation of the free buses. Women commuters highlight discrepancies between the scheme's promise and its reality. Crucial stops such as Anna Statue, Main Guard gate, Marakadai, Thillainagar, MGMGH, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Kattur, Railway Junction, Srirangam, Jeeyapuram, Vayalur, E Pudur, KK Nagar, and even the Airport are being bypassed. This issue is particularly prevalent during rush hours and late evenings, disproportionately affecting women from low-income families who rely on the free services to save money. 'I work in a shop in Thillainagar. Buses often skip the stops at Thennur and Marakkadai during peak hours. I used to take the free bus home, but now I take a private bus and spend Rs 25 every day. It has affected my savings, said C Lakshmi, a commuter from Beema Nagar.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- New Indian Express
TN government sits on fare revision, auto rates go through the roof, hit Rs 80 for a km
CHENNAI: Even as the state has been sitting on the proposal to increase auto rickshaw fares for the past six years, the minimum fare has unofficially surged, reaching Rs 80 in North Chennai, Rs 100-Rs 150 in South and Central Chennai. The situation is the same while booking online as drivers demand Rs 20-Rs 30 extra, and commuters end up paying Rs 100-Rs 120 for just 1.2km. Commuters allege that a large chunk of drivers refuse the trip if they are unwilling to pay more than the fare shown on the app. 'My bike broke down, so I booked an auto from T Nagar to a location near AGS Cinemas, just 1.2km away. The fare showed Rs 130, but the driver insisted on an additional Rs 20. Paying Rs 150 for such a short distance is simply unreasonable,' said S Malini Rithish, a resident of T Nagar. In an effort to reduce public transportation costs, the state has not revised bus fares since 2018 and has introduced the 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' scheme, which allows women, trans-persons and persons with disabilities to travel for free on ordinary buses. Similarly, suburban and express train fares have remained unchanged for years. Despite these measures, commuting within the city has become increasingly expensive, especially for those who don't use two-wheelers, including the elderly, patients, and other groups. During a recent citywide visit by TNIE, it was observed that in areas such as Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, RA Puram and nearby localities, auto drivers demanded Rs 100-Rs 150 for trips under 1.5km. In places like Anna Nagar, Mogappair and Egmore, minimum fares were typically around Rs 100. Meanwhile, in Ambattur, Korattur, Kolathur and Perambur, even short trips ranging from 0.8-1.2km cost about Rs 80. However, the situation is worse in T Nagar, with fares reaching Rs 250-Rs 300 for distances of just 2-3km. After 10 pm, charges for trips to hospitals, railway stations,or bus terminals from T Nagar rises to Rs 400-500.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Vidiyal Payanam: Stalin gets first-hand feedback
CHENNAI: The CM on Wednesday flagged off 214 new buses for six transportation corporations at Island Ground in Chennai. He also interacted with woman commuters aboard a government bus operating under the Vidiyal Payanam scheme — which provides free bus rides for women — in the city, as the DMK government completes four years after assuming office in May 2021. An official stated that while travelling from the Secretariat to the Anna Centenary Library, the CM boarded route number 32B — running from Vallalalar Nagar to Vivekananda Illam — at the Omandurar Government Estate bus stop. During the journey, he spoke with woman commuters and enquired about the scheme's impact as it enters its fifth year since implementation. The woman commuters shared that the initiative has helped them save around Rs 2,000 per month, which they now use for essential expenses like healthcare, education and others. The CM also directed the bus crew to ensure that buses halt at designated stops so women can fully benefit from the scheme. Out of a total of 214 new buses, 27 were allocated to SETC, 114 to Villupuram TNSTC, 10 to Salem, 31 to Coimbatore, 14 to Madurai and 18 to the Tirunelveli division. Of these, 70 buses are ordinary services operating under the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, according to an official statement. The DMK government took office, 3,727 new buses have been introduced and 1,500 existing buses have been refurbished, the statement said.
