Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has launched a massive transportation scheme that would support the student community of the city.
Kejriwal proposes free bus travel & discounted metro fares
Free bus travel for all students in Delhi, along with 50 percent off on metro fare, will be introduced in the plan if central government permission is obtained.
Kejriwal stated in his declaration that education is a vital tool for national progress. He further mentioned that many students from economically weak backgrounds face problems with transportation costs to reach their educational institutions. "The country will progress only if we study," Kejriwal said, pointing out how transportation expenses can be a barrier to education for many families, according to News18 reports.
The new initiative expands on the free bus travel scheme already in place, which currently benefits women in Delhi. The proposed plan would extend this benefit to male students as well, thus making transportation access equal for all students.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi celebrated the announcement in a post to social media app X, claiming that free bus travel would be given if AAP formed the government once again. "I hope central government will take a cooperative step regarding metro fare concession," she further added.
On the metro fare proposal, Kejriwal said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking support for a 50% fare reduction for students. Since the Delhi Metro is operated jointly by the central and Delhi governments with equal partnership, Kejriwal suggested that both governments bear the cost of the student concession equally.
"This is a matter of public interest. There is no politics in this and there should be no politics," Kejriwal emphasised while urging consideration of the proposal on its merits. He expressed optimism that Prime Minister Modi would support the initiative for the benefit of Delhi's youth.
The free bus travel for the students is scheduled to begin after the elections, and the metro fare concession awaits approval from the central government. Thousands of students in the national capital will be affected by these measures on a daily basis.
