Free Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Seva Passes Issued on the Spot
Raipur, 2 November 2026/
The Transport Department’s exhibition at the Rajyotsav Mela Ground in Nava Raipur has become a popular attraction during celebrations marking Chhattisgarh’s 26th State Foundation Day. Based on the themes ‘Sadak Suraksha-Jivan Raksha’ and ‘Surakshit Yatra, Samriddha Chhattisgarh’, the exhibition provides information about departmental schemes and issues free Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Seva passes to eligible beneficiaries on the spot. The entrance features a bus replica, traffic signals and a large LED screen showing road safety videos.
Special arrangements have been made to issue free Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Seva passes at the exhibition. Visually or intellectually divyangjan, divyangjan who are unable to walk using either leg, senior citizens aged over 80 and persons affected by HIV/AIDS are eligible for a 100 per cent fare concession for travel within Chhattisgarh. The concession also extends to one accompanying attendant. According to departmental officials, the Transport Department has been listed in the Golden Book of World Records for distributing the highest number of free bus passes to senior citizens in a single day. Officials are verifying documents and issuing passes on the spot at the exhibition, saving beneficiaries repeated office visits.
To promote road safety awareness, visitors are being encouraged through a Chhattisgarhi message, “Aavav Karan Apan Suraksha Bar Paanch Paran, Kaabar Jaan Haavay Ta Jahaan Haavay”, to take five pledges for their safety, reminding them that life is precious. These pledges include wearing a helmet, using a seat belt, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, refraining from talking on a mobile phone while driving, and driving slowly. Pictures and models communicate these messages in an easy-to-understand manner.
The exhibition also provides information about the Pradhan Mantri Rahat Yojana. Under the scheme, a person injured in a road accident will receive cashless treatment of up to Rs. 1.50 lakh for up to seven days at any government or private hospital. Taking an injured person to hospital within the first hour after an accident—the ‘golden hour’—can reduce the risk of death. Visitors are being urged to call the 108 or 112 helplines in an emergency.
The state is establishing Driving Training Centres (DTCs) and Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs) to improve driver training and testing. The state has granted permission for 16 centres. These include two RDTCs, one each in Jagdalpur and Bilaspur, and DTCs in Dantewada, Gariaband, Surajpur, Korba, Surguja, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Kabirdham, Durg, Balodabazar, Balod and Mahasamund, along with two in Janjgir-Champa. The state has introduced a computerised e-track system using CCTV and sensors to make driving tests transparent.
The Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana 2025 aims to extend bus services to remote areas. In the first phase, the target is to operate 100 buses in Bastar and Surguja divisions. Under the scheme, the government is providing financial assistance of Rs. 26 per kilometre in the first year, Rs. 24 in the second year and Rs. 22 in the third year. Meanwhile, 6,278 vehicles, including 3,336 government vehicles, have been scrapped under the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility initiative. Two scrapping centres in Raipur and one in Durg have become operational.
Shri Aman Shrivas from Tulsi village, who visited the exhibition, described it as useful. He said visitors could get information about schemes and receive free bus passes on the spot. He said this facility is a major relief for elderly people and people with disabilities. He also praised the initiative to explain the five road safety rules in Chhattisgarhi.
