UP Govt plans to offer free bus ride service for senior citizen women

"During the COVID-19 (lockdown), the buses of the transport department carried migrant workers returning from different parts of the country to their destination," he added.

"It was the largest exercise to ferry passengers for free after the Kumbh Mela of 2019," he said.

Spaeking on transport infrastructure, he said that if airports can be built "world-class" why can't be bus stations built, the chief minister called for the need of better bus terminals with facilities like dormitories, restaurants and clean toilets.

Stressing on the need to improve services of the transport department, he said that old buses must be phased out and replaced. "The transport department must have a yearly health report of the drivers," he added.

Chief Minister also asked the transport minister to link state transport corporation workshops with ITIs where youngsters can be skilled by providing training.

"The biggest concern is deaths caused in road mishaps. I'm saddened to say that the number of deaths in road accidents is over 20,000 a year. This is very concerning and we need to look into it and take measures to reduce it," Chief Minister said while inaugurating new bus stops, laid the foundation stone of training and testing centers in the state.