Tamil Nadu Expands Free Bus Travel for Women; Announces 3 Free LPG Cylinders

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced a wider fare-free bus travel benefit for women, covering services that were previously outside the scheme, as per news reports.  

The expanded Vettri Payanam programme will begin on October 2, 2026, with the government expecting an additional annual expenditure of ₹6,000 crore. 

The announcement came alongside details of the government's cooking gas support plan, another major electoral commitment. 

Express and Deluxe Buses to Be Covered 

Women will be able to travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses in metropolitan and urban areas. In suburban and hilly regions, the benefit will apply to regular-fare government buses. 

Vijay said women will not have to meet an income condition or limit the number of journeys they make under the scheme. 

LPG Support Starts with 3 Cylinders 

The government will begin the Annapoorani Super Six scheme by providing three free LPG cylinders to eligible families. The original promise was for six cylinders each year. 

The benefit will be delivered through direct bank transfers covering the cost of the cylinders. Preparatory work has started, and the first phase is planned for Pongal in mid-January 2027. The state will set aside ₹4,000 crore a year for the scheme. 

Over 1.30 Crore Families in First Phase 

The LPG scheme is expected to cover 1,30,16,104 families. The beneficiary group includes economically backward households, small and medium farmer families, differently abled people and poor families, with the source referring to families having an annual income of nearly ₹2.5 lakh. 

Vijay said the government would bear the cost of the cylinders and that the amount would be credited directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts. 

Parandur Airport Project to Be Shelved 

Vijay also announced that the Parandur greenfield airport project will be shelved. The proposed project had faced opposition from farmers who did not want to part with their agricultural land. 

Read More: Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Sign 4 Agreements, Set Up ₹600 Crore Fund for MSME Investments! 

Conclusion 

The announcements cover two major welfare measures, with the expanded bus travel scheme beginning on October 2 and the first phase of the LPG support programme scheduled for Pongal 2027. 

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