HIV patients in Delhi to get free bus travel

People with HIV or Aids in New Delhi are to be allowed to travel on buses for free.

Officials in the Indian capital are planning to offer free bus travel only on services operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

The move was agreed on during a meeting of the Delhi State Aids Council, which is chaired by health and family welfare minister, Kiran Walia.

She said: "HIV/Aids patients and their attendants will be allowed free travel in DTC buses to antiretroviral treatment (ART) centres and hospitals for check-up and treatment.

"The patient will be provided with BPL cards for this purpose. We are also in the process of ensuring that the patients get to avail free tests without having to spend money on diagnostics for opportunistic infections."

Ms Walia concluded that the council plans to approach the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the body that is managing the construction of the new underground system in the city, to allow HIV and Aids sufferers to travel for free.