What is the Vettri Payanam Thittam launched by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay? Explained
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has launched the Vettri Payanam scheme, which provides free bus travel for women across most of the state. This initiative expands upon the previous Magalir Vidiyal Payanam program and covers a significant portion of the state's public transport fleet.
Why it matters
The policy represents a major social welfare expansion aimed at increasing women's mobility and economic participation, costing the state approximately ₹6,000 crore annually.
The story so far: On Friday (October 2, 2026), coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the Vettri Payanam scheme in Chennai as part of a Statewide roll out of a policy to allow “no-fare” travel for women on all public bus services operated by transport corporations, subject to certain conditions. Women across Tamil Nadu, except in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts (due to bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies), will be able to utilise these services, effective from Friday.
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