CM Yogi Adityanath flags off Rajdhani bus, to link Lucknow with district headquarters

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday flagged off Rajdhani Express, a new UPSRTC bus service that will connect Lucknow with all district headquarters. The CM asked the transport department to work towards providing transportation to one lakh revenue villages in the state.
As many as 115 new buses, including 76 Rajdhani Express and 39 general buses for different routes were flagged off, while the 'UP Rahi' app was also launched for online reservations. In addition, a postage stamp was issued on the occasion of completion of 50 years of the UPSRTC.
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and minister of state for transport (independent charge) Dayashankar Singh were present on the occasion. Congratulating the corporation on completion of 50 years, the CM said, "UPSRTC is working towards a new, glorious journey while cherishing its golden journey in this first year of Amrit Kaal."
He said the services rendered by the corporation during the Prayagraj Kumbh and Covid-19 were commendable. “The 45-day Kumbh drew 24 crore devotees. The state government had provided 5,000 new buses to the corporation for Kumbh and the corporation did an excellent job.”
He said, “Also, when the lockdown was implemented on March 25, 2020 thousands of labourers and workers from various states, including Delhi, Punjab and Maharashtra left for their homes. Thousands gathered at Delhi and other border areas. At that juncture, we called an emergency meeting with UPSRTC. The department said they have a fleet of 12,000 to 14,000 buses ready.
The corporation’s drivers and operators started transporting everyone to their destination right away.” “Meanwhile, 500 buses were sent to Kota to safely bring back the students stranded there. At least 15,000 students were stranded, out of which 4,500 were from Uttarakhand. They were brought back safely.
The corporation proved that it stands by people in difficult times,” said the CM. Stating that 150 new buses have arrived on Holi, the CM said, “The good news is that these buses are being made in the UPSRTC workshop. To purchase 1,000 brand-new buses, we gave Rs 400 crore in the budget to the corporation.
Additionally, Rs 100 crore has been allocated to develop bus terminals on the lines of airports.” Adding that there are one lakh revenue villages in UP, the CM said, “In all those villages, the corporation can provide better service than the railways and airports. UPSRTC must contact the tourism and revenue department. You can provide employment to thousands of young people by providing bus services to one lakh revenue villages.