Govt announces special bus service for Holi festival

Patna: The state govt announced a special bus service to facilitate travel for people returning to the state from other parts of the country during the Holi festival.A total of 200 buses, including 50 air-conditioned coaches, will operate from 10 states—Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Odisha. The services will run from Feb 23 to March 23, with online ticket booking opening on Feb 6.The buses will connect key districts across Bihar, including Patna, Gaya, Siwan, Jehanabad, Darbhanga, Arah, Buxar, Muzaffarpur, Kaimur, Bhagalpur, Kishanganj, Narkatiyaganj and Sasaram.A Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) official said the buses will operate in public-private partnership (PPP) mode and will be allowed to ply only after completing all mandatory checks, including registration, fitness, pollution clearance, permits and insurance.The initiative aims to ease travel congestion during the festive season, when a large number of people return home for Holi. Special services will operate for 15 days before and 15 days after the festival to ensure safe and convenient travel.