India, Aug. 24 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday, August 24, announced a major expansion of the state's fare-free bus travel scheme for women and said 1.30 crore families would receive three free cooking gas cylinders every year, while also declaring that the controversial Parandur greenfield airport project would be shelved.

Making a series of announcements in the Assembly, Vijay said women and transgenders would be allowed to travel free of cost on deluxe, express, limited-stop and mofussil bus services from October 2, 2026. The expansion is expected to cost the state about Rs 6,000 crore annually.

Mofussil services cover inter-district routes as well as hilly destinations. At present, women can travel free on buse...