📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Education
Tamil Nadu Govt Secures Major Price Cut to Distribute Free Bicycles to School Students
✍️ NDTV Profit
🗓 15 Nov 2026, 02:28 PM
👁 18
The Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government has negotiated a sharp reduction in bicycle prices to enable a free‑bike distribution scheme for school‑going students across the state.
The administration headed by Chief Minister Vijay announced that it has secured a substantial discount from bicycle manufacturers and dealers, bringing the cost of a standard student‑grade bicycle down to a level that can be funded by the state budget.
Under the new scheme, every student attending government‑run schools in Tamil Nadu will receive a bicycle at no charge, with the aim of improving mobility, reducing absenteeism and encouraging physical activity.
The government plans to roll out the distribution in phases, beginning with districts that have the highest dropout rates and limited public transport options. Officials say the procurement will be handled through a transparent tender process to ensure that the price cut benefits are passed directly to the end users.
Funding for the programme will be drawn from the state’s education and welfare allocations, and the ministry has set a target of reaching one million students within the first year. The initiative is expected to boost school attendance, especially among girls in rural areas, where travel distance has traditionally been a barrier.
Under the new scheme, every student attending government‑run schools in Tamil Nadu will receive a bicycle at no charge, with the aim of improving mobility, reducing absenteeism and encouraging physical activity.
The government plans to roll out the distribution in phases, beginning with districts that have the highest dropout rates and limited public transport options. Officials say the procurement will be handled through a transparent tender process to ensure that the price cut benefits are passed directly to the end users.
Funding for the programme will be drawn from the state’s education and welfare allocations, and the ministry has set a target of reaching one million students within the first year. The initiative is expected to boost school attendance, especially among girls in rural areas, where travel distance has traditionally been a barrier.