TVK Cabinet Approves State-Wide Women Free Travel Expansion Plan

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vijay at Fort St. George today, has given its formal administrative approval for the comprehensive statewide expansion of the free public bus travel scheme for women across all remaining rural and hilly terrain routes. Following extensive review meetings with transport department officials, the government aims to bridge urban-rural transit inequalities and ensure seamless mobility for women working in agrarian and unorganized sectors. The policy rollout includes the induction of 1,200 new low-floor electric buses specifically earmarked for regional connectivity hubs. Opposition parties, however, have raised fiscal sustainability concerns regarding the sweeping operational subsidies required to maintain the transport corporation's balance sheets. Leader of the Opposition and DMK President M.K. Stalin questioned the capital allocation mechanisms, demanding a detailed white paper on how the state treasury plans to absorb the mounting debt burden of public transport utilities without impacting critical capital expenditure in education and healthcare. In response, government spokespersons defended the measure as a vital social welfare investment designed to boost female labor force participation rates. The first phase of the expanded rollout is scheduled to commence on November 1st across five central and southern districts, with district collectors instructed to oversee real-time implementation and monitor fleet deployment efficiency.