Raipur: Female college students in the remote Kui-Kukdur region of Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district will now have access to free transportation following the launch of a dedicated bus service by Pandariya MLA Bhawna Bohra on October 12.
The initiative aims to address commuting difficulties faced by students from the Baiga tribal community and other rural areas, where long distances, limited transport options and travel expenses can make attending college challenging.
The service was launched at a programme held at the helipad ground in Kui-Kukdur, which was also attended by Chhattisgarh Cabinet Minister Tank Ram Verma. The event included the inauguration of completed infrastructure projects and the laying of foundation stones for new development works.
Free Bus Service to Improve Access to Higher Education
The new service is intended to help female students travel to the government college in Kui-Kukdur safely and regularly. The route will connect students from several surrounding villages with the college.
According to local reporting, the bus will begin its journey from Amaniya and collect students from areas including Kushiyari, Mahidabra, Luhutola, Upka, Amera, Kursikachhar and Kui before reaching Kui-Kukdur Government College.
Key objectives of the initiative include:
- Reducing travel expenses: Free transportation will ease the financial burden on families.
- Improving access to college: Students from remote villages will have a more convenient way to attend classes.
- Supporting girls’ education: Reliable transport is intended to help students continue their studies.
- Addressing safety concerns: Dedicated transportation will offer an organised commuting option for students and their families.
Nine Free Bus Services Now Operating in Pandariya Constituency
With the latest launch, the number of free bus services initiated for female college students in the Pandariya Assembly constituency has reached nine, according to a local report quoting Bohra. The MLA said more than 1,500 girls had benefited from the initiative so far.
Bohra has also been associated with healthcare-related initiatives in the constituency, including free ambulance services, earning her the local nickname “Ambulance Wali Didi.” The expansion of the student transport initiative has brought her the additional moniker “Bus Wali Didi.”
The programme seeks to address practical barriers to higher education for girls in areas where public transport options are limited.
Development Projects Worth Nearly ₹6 Crore
The programme in Kui-Kukdur also saw the inauguration and foundation-laying of development projects worth approximately ₹5.97 crore, according to local reporting.
The key projects included:
- New college building: Foundation stone laid for a government college building costing approximately ₹4.66 crore.
- Tehsil office: Inauguration of a newly constructed tehsil office building costing around ₹71.12 lakh.
- Mahtari Sadan facilities: Foundation stones laid for buildings in Kui and Kukdur, each estimated to cost ₹30 lakh.
These projects are intended to improve access to educational and administrative facilities and provide additional community infrastructure in the region.
Government Focus on Education and Rural Development
Cabinet Minister Tank Ram Verma highlighted the importance of extending educational and public services to remote and forested areas. He said the free bus service would help students reach college while reducing the financial and logistical challenges faced by their families.
The initiative combines transport support with investments in local infrastructure, with the stated aim of making higher education and public services more accessible to rural residents.
The launch in Kui-Kukdur extends the constituency-level effort to support girls’ education through free transportation, particularly for students who face difficulties travelling from remote villages to college.
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