Raksha Bandhan 2025: Free Bus Travel for Women in Several States

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, which will be celebrated across India on Saturday, August 9, several state governments have announced special travel offers for women. Many states will provide free bus travel so that women can easily visit their brothers and families during the festival.

UP and Rajasthan Announce Special Offers

In Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government is offering three days of free bus travel for women – from August 8 (6 AM) to August 10 (midnight). This offer applies to UPSRTC buses, city buses, and rural transport. Extra buses will also be deployed to manage heavy passenger traffic.

In Rajasthan, for the first time, women will get two days of free travel – on August 9 and 10 – in all government buses, following orders from Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Free Travel in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh

Haryana will allow women and children below 15 years to travel for free from August 8 (12 PM) to August 9 (midnight). The offer is valid in state buses as well as those going to Delhi and Chandigarh.

In Madhya Pradesh, women can travel free in city buses in Bhopal and Indore on August 9. Additionally, under the “Ladli Behna Yojana,” eligible women will receive a ₹1,500 Rakhi bonus plus ₹250 as a festival gift.

Other States Continue the Tradition

Uttarakhand will, as always, offer free travel for women in state transport buses during Rakhi. In Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula (Tricity), women can also travel free on Raksha Bandhan day.

Punjab, Karnataka, and Delhi already have year-round free bus travel for women (Delhi’s scheme applies only to local women on DTC buses).

In Telangana, free bus travel for women is already in place. Andhra Pradesh will launch its free bus travel scheme from August 15.