Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay flags off new buses at St George Fort in Chennai on Tuesday.
The 130 EV buses are from Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and are part of Tamil Nadu’s broader green mobility programme. CHENNAI: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday inaugurated new bus services operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations at the Secretariat. Earlier on Monday, CM Vijay announced the expansion of the fare-free bus travel scheme for women, making services such as deluxe and express buses free for beneficiaries.
The scheme will be rolled out on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanthi. Vijay said the move will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 6,000 crore per annum for the state government. Earlier reporting noted: Vijay flags off 250 buses for MTC, TNSTC Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay flags off new buses at Fort St George on Tuesday Earlier reporting noted: Chennai: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday flagged off 250 new buses procured at ₹290 crore for Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC).
On the Annapoorani Super Six scheme, a major welfare promise made by Vijay in the run-up to the April Assembly election, assuring six free LPG cylinders to every eligible family in Tamil Nadu every year to reduce household living expenses, the Chief Minister said three free cooking gas cylinders will initially be provided, with the amount credited directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Three free LPG cylinders will be given in the first phase and the price for cylinders will be directly credited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries,” Vijay said, amidst loud thumping of tables by the Treasury. “The preparatory work has commenced and the scheme will be launched this Pongal (mid-January) 2027 festival,” Vijay said and added the state government will allocate Rs 4,000 crore per annum for this initiative. Earlier reporting noted: Transport minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the govt plans to procure only AC buses moving forward as directed by the chief minister.
“This will reduce the burden of the people who have been spending extra amount to obtain the cylinders. The government has decided to provide the cost of the cooking gas cylinders.