Lucknow, Aug. 27 -- A heavy rush of passengers was reported at Lucknow bus stations on Thursday as women began travelling to their hometowns for Raksha Bandhan. Buses bound mostly for Eastern UP filled up soon after arriving at major terminals.

Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) began its free travel facility for women on Thursday. The scheme will remain in force until midnight on August 29, with the Corporation increasing bus trips on routes witnessing higher demand.

The biggest rush was reported on services towards Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Gonda and Bahraich. Additional trips are also being operated on the Delhi and Kanpur routes, officials said.

Lucknow regional manager Vimal Rajan said, "We have deployed additional...