The Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra, also known as the Matrushakti Yojana, is a welfare initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government aimed at improving mobility, convenience and social support for elderly women across the state.
Recently launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the scheme highlights the government’s focus on women’s empowerment and on providing senior women with a more convenient, dignified and accessible public transport system.
Under the scheme, women aged 60 years and above can travel free of charge on Uttar Pradesh Roadways buses. The initiative is intended to ease the cost of travel for elderly women, especially those travelling for medical care, family-related duties, religious visits, social activities or other essential requirements.
The programme is expected to benefit a significant number of elderly women in both rural and urban areas of Uttar Pradesh by making public transportation more accessible and affordable. Free travel on the wide network of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses may also enable senior women to maintain greater independence and mobility.
For the implementation of the scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated considerable financial resources. The estimated cost of providing free travel to eligible women passengers is around Rs 22.50 crore per month.
This financial commitment reflects the scale of the programme and the government’s intention to continue providing the benefit on a sustained basis.
The initiative is named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar and is also intended to recognise the contribution, strength and dignity of women. By bringing together social welfare and accessible public transportation, the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra aims to develop a more inclusive mobility system for senior women throughout Uttar Pradesh.
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