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The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given the green light to the 'Chief Minister's Village Transport Scheme 2026' on Tuesday, aiming to ensure bus connectivity to every village in the state. During a press conference held at Lok Bhawan, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna announced that a total of 31 proposals were presented in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with 30 of them receiving approval.

Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh provided detailed insights into the Chief Minister's Village Transport Scheme 2026 during the press briefing. He stated that previously, buses did not reach 12,200 villages, but under the new policy, all 59,163 gram sabhas in Uttar Pradesh will have bus access. These buses will be exempt from permits and taxes.

This initiative is expected to benefit a significant rural population in the state. Singh mentioned that a committee will be formed under the District Magistrate, which will include the Chief Development Officer, Superintendent of Police, and Assistant Regional Transport Officer as members. The buses will stay in the villages overnight and will reach the district headquarters by 10 AM after passing through blocks and tehsils.

The Transport Minister explained that the buses will operate from 10 AM to 4 PM. He emphasized that the drivers, conductors, and cleaners of these buses will be local residents, ensuring convenience for them during overnight stays and morning departures. The committee led by the District Magistrate will also set local fare rates, which will be affordable.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Singh informed reporters that ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber will now be required to register in Uttar Pradesh. He referenced Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, noting that the central government amended the regulations on July 1, 2025. Uttar Pradesh will adopt these regulations as well.

Singh explained that previously, there was no regulation on Ola and Uber, but now they must register. These companies will also be required to pay application, licensing, and renewal fees, and drivers will undergo medical examinations, police verification, and fitness tests.

The Transport Minister stated that operating vehicles in Uttar Pradesh without registration fees, fitness checks, medical tests, and police verification will no longer be permitted. He mentioned that these rules will come into effect following the issuance of a notification. The application fee for registration will be set at ₹25,000, while companies operating five or more vehicles will face a licensing fee of ₹500,000. Additionally, vehicle licenses will need to be renewed every five years at a cost of ₹5,000.