Vijay govt scraps Parandur airport project; announces free LPG, bus travel schemes
TN CM says alternative sites for airport project identified, announces 3 free LPG cylinders for families earning less than Rs 2.5L per annum and free bus ride for women, transgender persons
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday (August 24) confirmed his government’s decision to drop the Parandur greenfield airport project, stating that new sites have been chosen instead. He also announced free cooking gas for underprivileged families and free bus rides for women and transgender persons. The government says the three key decisions have been taken to ease the daily life of citizens and improve infrastructure across the state.
Airport project to benefit 1.30L families
Speaking on the airport project in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay said alternative sites have been identified, and officials would survey these places soon before land is bought. About 1.30 lakh families are expected to benefit from the project, which will cost the government around ₹6,000 crore. At the same time, steps will be taken to expand the existing Meenambakkam airport to handle more passengers and flights.
₹4,000-Cr free LPG scheme
In a major relief for low-income households, Vijay launched the Annapoorani Super Six scheme. In the first phase, eligible families will get three free LPG cylinders every year. The money for the subsidy will go straight into the bank accounts of families whose yearly income is ₹2.5 lakh or less.
Also read: Parandur shelved: Why Vijay govt is betting on expanding Chennai airport instead
The government has set aside ₹4,000 crore each year for this programme. Although the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had promised six free cylinders in its election manifesto, the chief minister explained that the government can only afford to give three cylinders for free due to the ongoing war in the Gulf and the sharp rise in gas prices.
Free bus ride for women, transgenders
The third announcement is the Vetri Payanam scheme, which offers free bus travel to all women and transgender persons. They can ride without tickets on city buses, including Express, Deluxe and LSS services, as well as on mofussil buses and hill-area buses anywhere in the state. This scheme will cost the government ₹6,000 crore every year and is expected to make daily commuting safer and easier for women and transgender people.
Also read: TVK unleashes youth-centric TN poll manifesto to disrupt state's traditional politics
In the TVK election manifesto, it was promised that women could travel free on any bus, anywhere in Tamil Nadu, at any time. However, it has now been announced that free travel is restricted only to city and suburban buses. Women will not be able to travel free on inter-district state transport buses.
The DMK government had already allowed free travel for women on basic (white-board) buses in city and suburban services under the Pink Bus scheme. The TVK government has now announced that women can travel free on all categories of buses within the city and suburban network.