Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday flagged off 422 new buses and 18 small buses at the Secretariat here. The total cost of the vehicles was `100.18 crore.
An official release here said the State Government, led by Jayalalithaa, has been taking various steps to address the transportation needs of the people. Pointing out that transport plays a key role in the development of the State, it said the Government has launched new buses and new routes, among other things.
As part of the efforts, Jayalalithaa on Monday flagged off 50 buses for women and children in 23 routes and four buses in four new routes for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation, 202 buses for State Express Transport Corporation, 25 buses for State Transport Corporation - Coimbatore, 63 buses for State Transport Corporation - Tirunelveli, and 78 buses for State Transport Corporation - Salem.
She also inaugurated 18 small buses to be operated in the hilly areas. These vehicles were acquired at a cost of `100.18 crore.
Industries and Transport Minister P Thangamani, Chief Secretary K Gnanadesikan, Advisor to Tamil Nadu Government Sheela Balakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport Department) T Prabhakara Rao, Metropolitan Transport Corporation Managing Director M Balakrishnasami and other higher officials were present when the Chief Minister flagged off the buses.
During the third week of June, Jayalalithaa launched various services in the transport sector, including new buses, at an overall cost of `87 crore, it may be recalled. As many as 290 new buses and 55 small buses were launched by Jayalalithaa.
Further, she also inaugurated new buildings for Transport department officials and bus bays in different parts of the State. She opened Chennai Metro Rail limited’s services between Koyambedu and Alandur, another move to offer better transportation to the people.