Chennai: After youth-centric DMK schemes such as Nan Mudhalvan were changed to Thiran Tamil Nadu, Mudhalvar Padaipagam to Padaipagam, the latest welfare scheme to shed its prevbranding under the new regime is ‘Magalir Vidiyal Payanam’ – the DMK govt’s flagship free bus travel programme for women. It has been rechristened as ‘Magalir Payanam’ and sources said that the word ‘Vettri’ (triumph) may replace it soon.On Thursday, the word ‘Vidiyal’ (dawn) was missing on the digital boards of govt buses, charging normal fare, across the state. The photos of videos of buses with the new phrase on MTC bus (route No 56DX), plying between Broad Way and Mathur, went viral.Sources from the transport department said the word ‘Vidiyal’ will be replaced with ‘Vettri’ when the new govt, as promised in the poll manifesto, rolls out its scheme extending the free rides to women in all govt buses. “The announcement is expected soon,” added the source.Responding to reporters in Chennai, transport minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the change in the scheme’s name would not affect its essence. However, he did not explain why the name had been altered.Meanwhile transport officials were not aware of the change and suspected it to be glitch. Another official said the software could have been hacked. He recalled how TVK’s party name flashed on the digital board of buses in Trichy, Cumbum and Sivakasi ahead of the state assembly elections in April.The free bus travel scheme was launched by the previous DMK govt in 2021 and was among the first major orders signed by M K Stalin after taking charge as chief minister. Touted as a flagship welfare initiative, the scheme provides free rides for women on ordinary state-run buses. More than 7,500 buses are operated under this scheme. MTC operates 1,712 normal fare buses in the city.Across the state, 898 crore trips have been made by women free of cost till March 31 this year, since the scheme’s launch in 2021. On average, 60 lakh women travel using the scheme every day. State Planning Commission has estimated that each woman saves up to ₹888 every month, thanks to the scheme.
