Tamil Nadu Renames Free Bus Scheme For Women To Magalir Payanam

The Tamil Nadu government has officially renamed its flagship free bus travel scheme for women from 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' to 'Magalir Payanam' by removing the word 'Vidiyal'. The revised name appeared on the digital destination displays of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses in Chennai and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses across the state on Thursday.

The free bus travel scheme, which allows women to ride for free on ordinary state-run buses, was originally launched in 2021 by the previous DMK administration. It was one of the first major orders signed by then Chief Minister M K Stalin upon taking office.

Currently, more than 7,500 state-run buses operate under this welfare initiative. While the core benefit of the scheme remains unchanged, the digital destination boards on these buses are being updated to reflect the new name.

Responding to reporters in Chennai, Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban confirmed that the name change would not affect the essence of the scheme. However, the minister did not provide an explanation for why the name was altered.

Progress on the rebranding is already underway across the state. In Pudukottai, TNSTC General Manager Nazar stated that almost 90 percent of the buses have already updated their digital displays, adding that the change will reflect in all buses in the coming days.

The renaming of the bus scheme is part of a broader series of branding changes by the current TVK administration targeting initiatives introduced by the previous DMK government. Recently, the government dropped the word "Mudhalvar" from "Mudhalvar Padaippagams," which are co-working and learning spaces, and renamed the "Naan Mudhalvan" scheme to "Thiran Tamil Nadu" (TN Skill).

While the current administration has argued that these name changes are intended to eliminate public confusion, the DMK has criticized the moves, calling them an attempt to dilute the achievements of the previous government.