The Bihar government has announced a significant initiative to provide relief to travelers during the upcoming festive season. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary stated that passengers and workers traveling to and from Bihar from other states during festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath, and Holi will receive special discounts on interstate bus services. The government has approved an allocation of ₹24.06 crore for this purpose.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the government will operate buses under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model during the festivals of 2025-26. Discounts will be offered on Deluxe Non-AC, Deluxe AC, and Deluxe Sleeper AC buses. The budget for this has been approved.
The estimated cost for this special discount scheme, according to the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), is ₹24.06 crore. As only ₹10 crore is currently provisioned in the existing budget, the remaining funds will be sourced from the Bihar Contingency Fund (BCF).
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the ongoing expansion of public transport in Bihar. The double-engine NDA government is committed to ensuring smooth and safe travel for people both within and outside Bihar. The Bihar government has approved ₹24.06 crore for providing special discounts on interstate bus operations.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister had shared information on social media platform X, stating that the central government will run a total of 12,739 special trains to Bihar for Diwali and Chhath this year. This is significantly higher than the 7,500 trains operated last year (2024). Notifications for 8,591 of these trains have already been issued. Samrat Chaudhary noted that this decision reflects the Modi government’s commitment to the millions of Biharis who wish to return home for the festivals.