The journey of motherhood should be filled with care, dignity, and support. Unfortunately, for thousands of women in rural and underprivileged areas of India, especially in West Bengal, pregnancy often becomes a period of health risks, financial strain, and inadequate care. Recognizing the urgent need to protect maternal health and reduce mortality rates, the Government of West Bengal has launched the Matriyan Scheme — a targeted maternity support initiative for pregnant women.The Government of West Bengal launched this scheme in the year 2011.
Let’s explore the Matriyan Scheme in detail — what it is, who is eligible, how to apply, and how beneficiaries can track their status.
What is the Matriyan Scheme?
The Matriyan Scheme is a social welfare initiative launched by the West Bengal Government to provide free and safe transportation support to pregnant women, especially during critical times such as delivery or emergency medical needs.
Under the scheme, pregnant women — particularly those living in remote or rural areas — are offered free transport facilities to travel from their homes to government health institutions for check-ups, delivery, or other maternal health-related emergencies. The transport facility is especially crucial for women who do not have access to private vehicles, ambulances, or even public transport in their locality.
The Matriyan Scheme works in coordination with the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and other maternal health initiatives. It is part of a broader push by the state to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes through institutional deliveries and timely care.
Key Features of Matriyan Scheme:
- Free transport for pregnant women to reach health centres
- Round-the-clock service available for emergencies
- Coverage includes home to hospital,and hospital to home post-delivery
- Operates through a dedicated helpline and monitored vehicle fleet
- Helps reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
Eligibility Conditions for Matriyan Scheme:
- The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal
- The woman must be pregnant, at any stage, or in need of postnatal transportation
- She must be associated with any government health facility — Sub-Centre, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Rural Hospital, District Hospital, etc.
- Priority is given to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Women residing in remote villages or The Government of West Bengal launched this scheme in the year 2011.
- hard-to-reach areas with limited or no public transport
- This scheme is not income-exclusive, meaning even non-BPL women can benefit if they meet the other location-based or vulnerability criteria.
Who Are Eligible to Apply for Matriyan Scheme?
The Matriyan Scheme is primarily designed for pregnant women and mothers who need transport to and from health centres during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum. Below is a list of eligible groups:
- Pregnant women registered at a government health institution
- Women in labour pain or near delivery date, especially from rural areas
- Post-delivery mothers needing transport back home after institutional delivery
- High-risk pregnancies where referral to a higher medical centre is necessary
- Neonates (newborns) who need transport with the mother for immediate care
In most cases, the scheme does not require any separate formal application — the eligibility is verified and availed through the health centres or helpline, based on the woman’s registration and current pregnancy status.
Documents Needs to Apply for Matriyan Scheme:
- Aadhaar Card – Identity and address proof
- Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card – Provided during ANC registration
- Health Card / Pregnancy Registration Slip – From government hospital or ANM
- Ration Card / BPL Card – (for economic verification, optional)
- Mobile Number – For communication and confirmation
- Residential Address Proof – In case the woman is located in remote or unlisted areas
Generally, if a woman is already registered for maternal health check-ups at a government hospital, no extra paperwork is needed at the time of availing transport. However, if the call is made independently, these documents may be requested for verification.
What is the Process to Apply for Matriyan Scheme?
The Matriyan Scheme does not follow a traditional application process like other financial schemes. Instead, it operates via an on-demand service model where transportation is provided as and when needed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Avail the Service:
- Registration at Government Health Centre
The first step is to register your pregnancy at a nearby government hospital or Primary Health Centre (PHC). - Inform Local Health Worker / ASHA
When the expected date of delivery (EDD) nears or in case of emergency, the pregnant woman or her family can inform the local ASHA worker or ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife). - Call the Dedicated Helpline Number
The Matriyan transport services can be accessed by calling the 108 or 102 ambulance services, which operate under the scheme in West Bengal. - Verification and Dispatch
Based on the location, a vehicle is dispatched from the nearest depot. The caller may be asked to provide name, address, registration number, and stage of pregnancy. - Pickup and Drop
The vehicle arrives to pick up the pregnant woman and take her to the nearest government facility for safe delivery. - Post-Delivery Transport
After delivery, the same scheme allows for drop-off back home from the hospital.
No fees or bribes are to be paid at any point — the entire service is completely free of cost for the beneficiary.
How to Check the availability of the Ambulance
Since the Matriyan Scheme is a service-based welfare initiative, there is no monetary disbursement to track. However, women and families can take the following steps to ensure proper communication and real-time updates:
- Through ASHA/ANM Workers
They can confirm whether a vehicle is dispatched
They help coordinate with the 108/102 call centre and follow up on delays
- 108 / 102 Call Centre
Call again if there is a delay or need to reschedule
Call centres usually give an estimated time of arrival (ETA)
- Health Centre Help Desk
Government hospitals often have a help desk or control room to manage Matriyan vehicle coordination
You can contact them using a reference number if previously assigned
- State Health Department Portal
Though the scheme is primarily offline-based, some regions may integrate vehicle tracking or feedback through the West Bengal Health Department website or apps linked with ambulance services
Conclusion
The Matriyan Scheme of West Bengal is a crucial step toward reducing maternal mortality and ensuring safer childbirth experiences, especially for women in remote and economically weaker sections of society. By offering free and timely transportation during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum stages, the state government has addressed one of the most urgent barriers in maternal healthcare — access.
Some important links of Matriyan Scheme :–
| Matriyan Scheme Official Website Link | Click Here |
| Matriyan SchemeNotification Download Link | Click Here |
