<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the state government is planning to provide free bus rides to women above 60.</p>.<p>He was addressing an event organised here to flag off 150 new diesel buses of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC).</p>.<p>"We are planning to allow free transportation to sisters and mothers above the age of 60 in the state transport corporation buses very soon," he said.</p>.<p>In view of Raksha Bandhan, the chief minister also announced free rides for women in UPSRTC buses for 48 hours -- from August 10 midnight to August 12 midnight.</p>.<p>"The service will help the sisters and mothers to travel in a safe environment to reach their destination to celebrate Raksha Bandhan."</p>.<p>"During the Covid-19 (lockdown), the buses of the transport department carried migrant workers returning from different parts of the country to their destination," Adityanath said.</p>.<p>"It was the largest exercise to ferry passengers for free after the Kumbh Mela of 2019," he added.</p>.<p>Stating that if airports can be built "world-class" why can't be bus stations built, the chief minister called for the need of better bus terminals with facilities like dormitories, restaurants and clean toilets.</p>.<p>Adityanath, stressing the need to improve services of the transport department, said old buses must be phased out and replaced.</p>.<p>He also said the transport department must have a yearly health report of the drivers.</p>.<p>He asked the transport minister to link state transport corporation workshops with ITIs where youngsters can be skilled by providing training.</p>.<p>"The biggest concern is deaths caused in road mishaps. I’m saddened to say that the number of deaths in road accidents is over 20,000 a year. This is very concerning and we need to look into it and take measures to reduce it," he said.</p>.<p>The chief minister while inaugurating new bus stops, laid the foundation stone for training and testing centres in the state.</p>.<p>The program was attended by Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Chief Secretary DS Mishra and other dignitaries.</p>
<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the state government is planning to provide free bus rides to women above 60.</p>.<p>He was addressing an event organised here to flag off 150 new diesel buses of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC).</p>.<p>"We are planning to allow free transportation to sisters and mothers above the age of 60 in the state transport corporation buses very soon," he said.</p>.<p>In view of Raksha Bandhan, the chief minister also announced free rides for women in UPSRTC buses for 48 hours -- from August 10 midnight to August 12 midnight.</p>.<p>"The service will help the sisters and mothers to travel in a safe environment to reach their destination to celebrate Raksha Bandhan."</p>.<p>"During the Covid-19 (lockdown), the buses of the transport department carried migrant workers returning from different parts of the country to their destination," Adityanath said.</p>.<p>"It was the largest exercise to ferry passengers for free after the Kumbh Mela of 2019," he added.</p>.<p>Stating that if airports can be built "world-class" why can't be bus stations built, the chief minister called for the need of better bus terminals with facilities like dormitories, restaurants and clean toilets.</p>.<p>Adityanath, stressing the need to improve services of the transport department, said old buses must be phased out and replaced.</p>.<p>He also said the transport department must have a yearly health report of the drivers.</p>.<p>He asked the transport minister to link state transport corporation workshops with ITIs where youngsters can be skilled by providing training.</p>.<p>"The biggest concern is deaths caused in road mishaps. I’m saddened to say that the number of deaths in road accidents is over 20,000 a year. This is very concerning and we need to look into it and take measures to reduce it," he said.</p>.<p>The chief minister while inaugurating new bus stops, laid the foundation stone for training and testing centres in the state.</p>.<p>The program was attended by Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Chief Secretary DS Mishra and other dignitaries.</p>