By Lucknow: Women travelling home for Raksha Bandhan will be able to use Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses free of charge, with the benefit also extended to one companion. The facility will remain available from the night of August 27 through the night of August 28, following directions issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
With a large number of people expected to travel during the festival, Yogi has asked the Transport Department, police and district administration to coordinate closely to ensure smooth traffic movement and the safe return of women to their families. He also directed officials to strengthen security measures and keep Anti-Romeo Squads active along important routes.
CM reviews Raksha Bandhan travel arrangements
The Chief Minister issued the directions during a meeting with senior government officials at his residence. Apart from transport arrangements for Raksha Bandhan, he reviewed the state’s flood and waterlogging situation, sugar availability, preparations for the upcoming sugarcane crushing season and facilities in schools.
Yogi directed officials to closely monitor bus operations during the festival period. Bus drivers will have to undergo proper screening, and no driver found under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance will be allowed to operate a vehicle.
The government has also been asked to verify the credentials of private bus drivers. Similar verification of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers should be carried out, with particular attention to measures that can improve the safety of women travelling during the festival.
The Transport and Police departments have been told to work together on traffic management and security, particularly on routes expected to see heavy passenger movement.
Anti-Romeo Squads to remain active
Yogi also directed the police to keep Anti-Romeo Squads operational to strengthen women’s security during the festival. Traffic arrangements on major roads and routes should be reviewed in advance so that increased movement does not result in unnecessary congestion.
The emphasis, officials said, is on ensuring that women travelling for Raksha Bandhan can complete their journeys without facing avoidable inconvenience or safety concerns.
CM takes stock of waterlogging and flood situation
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also sought an updated assessment of waterlogging across different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Divisional commissioners of Prayagraj, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Meerut, Saharanpur and Ghaziabad, along with officials of the Noida Authority, were asked to provide details of affected areas and the reasons behind water accumulation.
Yogi directed officials to ensure that avoidable waterlogging does not persist, particularly in vulnerable and low-lying areas. He asked authorities to identify such locations and install additional pumping stations wherever required.
He also ordered the immediate cleaning of drains where the movement of water has been affected by silt, garbage or other blockages.
The directions come as the state prepares for increased travel during Raksha Bandhan while continuing to deal with waterlogging in several districts. The government has placed emphasis on coordination between departments so that festival-related movement and public safety are managed without disruption.
