A heavy rush of passengers was reported at Lucknow bus stations on Thursday as women began travelling to their hometowns for Raksha Bandhan. Buses bound mostly for Eastern UP filled up soon after arriving at major terminals.
The scheme will remain in force until midnight on August 29, with the Corporation increasing bus trips on routes witnessing higher demand. Last year, 4.61 lakh women and attendants availed the facility in the Lucknow region over three days. Across UP, around 80 lakh women and attendants travelled under the scheme during Raksha Bandhan.
“Despite the exceptionally heavy footfall, the movement of passengers remained orderly and no accident or untoward incident was reported during the day,” he said. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) began its free travel facility for women on Thursday. With the rush expected to increase on Friday and Saturday, transport officials said they would continue monitoring passenger movement and add trips wherever required.
