On Friday, the Finance Minister of the Tamil Nadu government Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced that the Tamil Nadu government in a bid to enhance transport connectivity and services, it will buy 500 new electric buses and 2,213 diesel-powered buses next fiscal with KfW assistance. While presenting the annual state budget he said: "Under the 'Climate-Friendly Modernisation of Buses in Major Cities of Tamil Nadu' Project being implemented with KfW assistance, 2,213 BS-VI new diesel buses and 500 new electric buses will be procured." Mr Rajan also informed that because of the free bus service for women in the state, women passengers numbers increased by 21 percent to 61 percent from 40%. He explaining about this said: "The scheme has had a huge impact on the socio-economic status of women. In the budget, Rs 1,520 crore will be provided as subsidies towards free bus travel for women, Rs 928 crore as subsidy for student concession in bus fare, and Rs 1,300 crore as diesel subsidy.”