Patna: The Bihar government is set to enhance women’s safety and convenient travel through its ongoing Pink Bus initiative. Transport Minister and Bihar Hockey Association President, Shravan Kumar, announced that 250 women drivers and 250 women conductors will soon be appointed to operate the state’s 100 Pink Buses.
Currently, 100 Pink Buses are running across eight districts, providing safe and dignified travel options for women. Six Mahadalit women drivers will showcase their skills by driving Pink Buses during the Republic Day parade on January 26 at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. Additionally, women drivers who have completed training at the IDTR, Aurangabad, will soon receive licenses to operate Pink Buses.
Mahamana Hockey Gold Cup-2026 Unveiled
Shravan Kumar also inaugurated the Mahamana Hockey Gold Cup-2026 and the tournament mascot, “Golu Gauraiya,” at the Transport Complex. The first edition of the prestigious hockey tournament will be held from January 19 to 21 at the Rajgir International Sports Stadium. The event will feature 16 teams from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and other states.
Prizes for the tournament include Rs 1 lakh for the winner, Rs 75,000 for the runner-up, and Rs 50,000 for the third-placed team. The event aims to spark interest in sports among the youth and provide opportunities to perform at national and international levels. Olympian Bharat Chhetri, Ashok Dhyan Chand, and Shreyashi Singh will be present at the opening ceremony.
The tournament is organized by the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), Hockey Association of Bihar, Krida-Bharati, and the Mahamana Malaviya Mission, with training being provided by expert Olympian coaches.
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Panchayat-Level Sports Revolution in Bihar
Highlighting the state’s focus on grassroots sports development, Minister Shravan Kumar stated that Bihar has become the first state in India to construct 6,800 sports grounds at the panchayat level, with over 5,000 already completed. These facilities aim to identify and nurture hidden talent in rural areas, positioning Bihar among the top five performing states in sports.
Focus on Road Safety and Public Transport Regulation
The Transport Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to road safety, stating that sleeper buses operating without proper permits will face strict action, including permit cancellation. He also highlighted recent policy decisions from the Transport Ministers’ conference in Delhi, which included:
- Financial aid of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for accident victims.
- Incentives of Rs 25,000 for citizens who assist accident victims in reaching hospitals.
Bihar has set a zero-fatality target in six districts – Patna, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Motihari, Gaya, and Nalanda – and is taking measures such as road improvement and deploying over 2,000 ambulances tagged with the 102 emergency number.
To improve inter-state connectivity, 149 new interstate buses will soon be introduced, connecting Bihar with Jharkhand, Delhi, West Bengal, and other states.
Bihar’s Commitment to Women and Sports
With the expansion of Pink Buses and the launch of the Mahamana Hockey Gold Cup-2026, Bihar is taking significant steps to enhance women’s safety, encourage participation in sports, and develop grassroots talent. These initiatives also reflect the government’s broader focus on empowering women, promoting youth engagement, and fostering inclusive development across the state.
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