Latest news with #MagalirVidiyalPayanam
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.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dravidian model govt. focuses on development of all sectors, districts, sections of society: T.N. CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) said his government focuses on the development of all sectors, districts, and sections of society, implementing schemes that aim not only to provide monetary benefits but also to achieve social benefits that enhance the quality of life. He also expressed confidence that the DMK will win the 2026 Assembly elections. 'I never said I have done everything in these four years. I still have duties left and schemes to implement, and there is still one more year left in this term. After that, with the support of the people, we will win the next Assembly elections, and the Dravidian model government will continue,' Mr. Stalin said at a function organised to mark the completion of four years of the DMK government led by him. 'I am happy that the people of Tamil Nadu are satisfied that the State stands tall under our Dravidian model government. People are also happy that their grievances are being heard and promptly addressed by this government. Four years ago, on this day [May 7, 2021], I took office as the Chief Minister. Now, I can proudly say I have remained true to the trust that the people of Tamil Nadu placed in me,' he said. 'If we were to list all the achievements of our Dravidian model government, we could make a list of accomplishments. But if I were to list what is absent in our government, it is poverty, famine, inflation, major caste conflicts, religious riots and violence. When this government was formed, we called it a dawn. Because, after being pushed to the margins for 10 years, Tamil Nadu had to be revived. We made a firm resolve to provide a dawn of hope to Tamil Nadu and Tamils. I am saying this with confidence that today, we have ensured the progress of Tamil Nadu many times,' he said. The Chief Minister also listed out several aspects of the DMK government's flagship initiatives, such as Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, Magalir Vidiyal Payanam, Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme, Pudhumai Penn, and Tamil Pudhalvan. 'Several statistics released by the Union government have put Tamil Nadu at the forefront. Our State has been receiving several awards from the Centre. These are not awards for Stalin; these are accolades for the people of Tamil Nadu,' he added.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin flags off 214 new buses for State-run transport corporations
On the occasion of the DMK regime in Tamil Nadu entering its fifth year in office, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) flagged off 214 new buses for the State-run transport corporations at Island Grounds in Chennai. According to an official release, the Tamil Nadu government has been providing transport services to the benefit of the public through eight State-run transport corporations at affordable fares. In line with the needs of the public, the State government introduced new bus routes, launched new buses, refurbished old buses, improved bus depots, and implemented various schemes in a systematic manner. These include free travel facilities for women, students, persons with disabilities and their attendants, transpersons, Tamil scholars, and freedom fighters. Through the 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' (free bus travel for women scheme), women have travelled 684 crore trips. In the last four years, a total of 3,727 new buses were introduced and 1,500 buses were refurbished. After launching the new buses, Mr. Stalin advised the drivers and conductors to stop the buses at the designated stops and ensure proper boarding of women beneficiaries under the 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' scheme. Later in the day, Mr. Stalin travelled in a city bus plying between Vallalar Nagar and Vivekananda House from the Omandurar Government Estate bus stop. He interacted with passengers about the implementation of the 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' scheme. Earlier, Mr. Stalin, along with some of his Cabinet colleagues and party functionaries, paid floral tributes at the memorial of former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.
