Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme 2025 brings the gift of easy travel to remote villages
January 20, 2026 / In Chhattisgarh, the state government is effectively implementing the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme 2025 with the objective of strengthening transportation facilities in rural areas. This scheme is a decisive initiative to bring public transport to villages where passenger bus service was not available until now.
The first phase of the scheme includes districts of Bastar and Sarguja divisions.
So far, bus operations have commenced on 57 selected routes under the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme with 57 buses. Through these buses, passenger bus service has reached 330 new villages for the first time, bringing about a positive change in rural life.
The main objective of the scheme is to connect rural areas, which previously lacked public transport, with Janpad headquarters, urban areas, tehsil headquarters, and district headquarters. This ensures easy access for rural citizens to education, health, employment, and administrative services.
Under the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme, financial assistance is provided to bus operators by the state government on a per-kilometer basis. Assistance is provided at the rate of ₹26 per kilometer in the first year, ₹24 per kilometer in the second year, and ₹22 per kilometer in the third year.
Additionally, the scheme provides a complete exemption from gas tax for a maximum period of three years, making bus operations on rural routes economically viable.
The route selection process is completely transparent. Under this scheme, routes are selected by a state-level committee based on the recommendation of a district-level committee, ensuring priority is given to areas with actual needs.
A tender process is adopted for bus operations on selected routes. Through tenders, eligible applicants offering the minimum financial rate are selected, thereby minimizing the financial burden on the government and ensuring continuous service.
After receiving the permit application from the applicant selected through tender and conducting a hearing process, a permit is issued for bus operations. This ensures full compliance with regulatory procedures.
Currently, the process of commencing bus operations on 12 new rural routes has been completed. Additionally, 15 new rural routes have been selected, and tenders have been invited for bus operations on these routes.
Regarding the district-wise status, bus operations are being conducted in Sukma with 8, Narayanpur with 4, Jagdalpur with 2, Kondagaon with 4, Kanker with 6, Dantewada with 7, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur with 2, Surajpur with 6, Koriya with 5, Jashpur with 7, Balrampur with 4, and Ambikapur with 2 buses. Thus, 57 buses are operating on 57 routes.
As part of the upcoming action plan, a target of operating 200 buses under the Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme has been set for the financial year 2026-27. The state government’s endeavor will provide a new impetus to inclusive development, social empowerment, and economic activities by enhancing connectivity in rural areas.