Free KSRTC travel for cancer patients to any hospital: Kerala Govt
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala government on Thursday announced a new scheme providing free travel for cancer patients on KSRTC buses for treatment-related travel to any hospital in the state.
State Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar made the announcement in the Assembly, saying the scheme covers all Kerala State Road Transport Corporation services from ordinary to superfast buses.
"This initiative improves upon the 2012 government order, which allowed a 50 per cent travel concession on KSRTC ordinary and city service buses in the state capital for cancer patients visiting the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC)," he said.
"Here we are providing free travel from anywhere in Kerala to any hospital in the state for cancer treatment on buses up to superfast service. The patient has to produce a certificate from the treating doctor about the duration of the treatment, and a pass will be issued waiving the travel fare," the minister added.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the initiative in a Facebook post, describing it as an example of the Kerala development model of welfare that includes everyone.
He said it was one of several measures taken by the government to provide relief to cancer patients.
The minister said the scheme was introduced as KSRTC had improved its revenue, reduced losses, and increased passenger numbers through various initiatives. "As the KSRTC improves its financial position, we felt it was important that the people also benefit from it," he said.
Kumar noted that initiatives such as AC waiting rooms in bus stations, ensuring cleanliness and proper waste management in buses and stations, and installation of CCTV cameras for the safety of women and children had helped attract more passengers to KSRTC.
He also highlighted other measures, including issuance of smart cards for student travel concessions valid for 2-3 years, handing over maintenance of toilets in KSRTC bus stations to Sulabh Society, adding around 360 more buses to the fleet, and renovating bus stations.
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PM Modi meets Dutch royals in Netherlands, discusses cooperation in technology, innovation
The Hague (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the Royal Palace and discussed close cooperation in digital technology, innovation, fintech and blue economy.
Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday - after a brief stopover in the UAE - on the second leg of his five-nation tour that also includes Sweden, Norway and Italy.
"Met His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima at the Royal Palace. It was wonderful exchanging perspectives on boosting India-Netherlands friendship across key sectors like technology, innovation, sustainable growth, commerce and water resources," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.
Modi said that India and the Netherlands are "connected by shared interests and a shared belief in building a future-ready planet."
"They discussed the growing partnership between India and the Netherlands," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
"Both sides noted the close cooperation in the areas of sustainability, climate action, digital technology, innovation, fintech and blue economy," he added.
The two sides also expressed commitment towards further strengthening India–Netherlands relations.
Earlier in the day, Modi addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora in The Hague where he called India a “land of opportunities” undergoing an “unprecedented transformation”.
The PM's visit to the European nation from May 15 to 17 is his second trip to the country after his 2017 visit and comes at what officials described as an "important juncture" in India-Netherlands ties.
India and the Netherlands have significantly expanded cooperation in recent years beyond traditional sectors such as trade, investment and the priority areas of water, agriculture and health.
The partnership has grown in strategic sectors, including technology, innovation, defence, security, semiconductors, renewable energy, education and the maritime domain, the MEA said.
The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25. It is also India’s fourth-largest investor, with cumulative foreign direct investment amounting to USD 55.6 billion, officials said.
People-to-people ties remain a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.
Later on Saturday, Modi is scheduled to meet his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.
