Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, the Uttar Pradesh government is offering free travel for women on UP Roadways and city buses, from 6 AM on August 8 to 12 PM on August 10. The annual initiative is intended to facilitate convenient travel for women visiting their siblings for the occasion. It covers all non-AC and non-Volvo buses, excluding All India Permit buses. Additional buses will be deployed in high-demand cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghaziabad to manage crowds.

This year, the free travel facility spans three days, with the state prioritising women’s safety. Officials have been instructed to ensure proper arrangements at bus stations and ramped-up patrolling. A social media post from the CM's office emphasised, "Adequate buses should run, and traffic jams must be avoided." Meanwhile, the CM also reviewed flood relief operations, warning against negligence and stressing 24x7 control rooms for timely aid.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan, will be celebrated on August 9 this year, with the promise of a hassle-free journey for women during this special time.