Ahead of Bihar Election 2025, CM Nitish Kumar Approves 299 Inter-State Buses to Ease Festival Travel Rush

In a major move ahead of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced the rollout of 299 new inter-state buses to ensure smoother travel for people returning home during major festivals such as Chhath, Holi, Diwali, and Durga Puja.

बिहार के लोग विभिन्न पर्व-त्योहारों खासकर छठ, होली, दीपावली एवं दुर्गा पूजा के अवसर पर काफी संख्या में दिल्ली, उत्तर प्रदेश, पंजाब, हरियाणा और पश्चिम बंगाल से घर आते हैं। पर्व-त्योहारों के अवसर पर बिहार आने में लोगों को काफी कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ता है। बिहार आने वाले लोगों…

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) June 26, 2025

Taking to social media, the Chief Minister stated that people from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal face significant travel hardships when they try to return home during festivals. To address this recurring issue, the state government is taking concrete steps to make their journey more convenient and comfortable.

Cabinet Approves ₹105.82 Crore for Bus Purchase

At the cabinet meeting held on June 24, 2025, the Bihar government approved the procurement of 149 buses—including 75 air-conditioned and 74 deluxe non-AC buses—with a total outlay of ₹105.82 crore.

In addition to this, the government will also operate 150 more AC buses under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, taking the total number of new buses to 299. These buses will be deployed on key inter-state routes that connect Bihar to major neighboring states.

Special Trains Also on the Agenda

Nitish Kumar added that the state government will also request the central government to run additional special trains during the festival seasons to accommodate the rising number of travelers. These requests will specifically target peak demand periods like Chhath and Diwali, when the influx of returning migrants is at its highest.

“These steps will make it easier for people to reach their homes during festivals and ensure they can celebrate with their families without travel-related stress,” said the Chief Minister.

Political Undertone Ahead of Elections

While framed as a welfare initiative, the announcement comes at a time when political activity in the state is intensifying in the run-up to the Bihar Election 2025. Observers believe this move may resonate strongly with the migrant population, who form a significant vote bank in the state.

With this transportation initiative, Nitish Kumar’s government is positioning itself as responsive to the needs of Bihari families living across India, especially during emotionally significant periods like festivals.