The Bihar government is extending a helping hand to travelers during the upcoming festive celebrations. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary confirmed that individuals traveling to and from Bihar from other states during festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath, and Holi will benefit from special concessions on interstate bus fares. The government has approved an expenditure of ₹24.06 crore for this purpose.
Under the plan, buses will be operated using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model during the 2025-26 festival seasons. Discounts will be provided on Deluxe Non-AC, Deluxe AC, and Deluxe Sleeper AC buses. The budget for this has been authorized.
The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) estimated the total cost of the discount scheme at ₹24.06 crore. To accommodate this, and given that the current budget only allocates ₹10 crore, the remaining funds will be sourced from the Bihar Contingency Fund (BCF).
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the ongoing improvements to public transportation in Bihar. The government is committed to providing easy and safe travel experiences for the people of Bihar and those returning. The Bihar government has sanctioned ₹24.06 crore to provide special discounts on interstate bus operations.
Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister had previously announced on the social media platform X that the central government will operate 12,739 special trains for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals in Bihar this year. This represents a significant increase from the 7,500 trains operated last year (2024). Notifications have already been issued for 8,591 of these trains. Samrat Chaudhary stated that this decision highlights the Modi government’s commitment to the numerous Biharis who wish to return home for the holidays.