Lucknow, Feb. 8 -- In a move aimed at strengthening last-mile rural connectivity, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning a dedicated budgetary push to integrate villages with the formal public transport network, officials said.

The state, according to the officials, is proposing an allocation of Rs.1,200 crore in the upcoming budget to procure mini buses for the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) which will connect village panchayats with their respective district, tehsil and block headquarters at lower fares, reducing travel costs and dependence on private transport for rural residents.

"We have demanded the government to allocate Rs.1,200 crore to us to buy new buses to connect all the unserved village panchayat...