Shakti Scheme empowers 100 crore women with free travel: CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Launched on June 11, 2023, the Shakti Scheme has successfully provided free travel for women, empowering approximately 100.47 crore women across the state since its initiation.

Of the 178.67 crore passengers utilising State Road Transport buses since the scheme's launch, 56.23% are women, with a zeroticket value totalling Rs. 2397.80 crores.

In a celebratory event at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, with the Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, commemorated the achievement of 100 crore women benefitting from the Shakti Scheme.

Accolades, in the form of Chief Minister Gold Medals, were presented to accident-free drivers from four State Transport Undertakings (STUs) of Karnataka.

The Shakti Scheme has not only increased passenger numbers but also spurred STUs to extend their daily operated kilometres to 67 lakh, effectively meeting public transportation needs.

To further enhance mass transit and improve passenger services, the four corporations plan to introduce 5675 new buses (including 2271 electric buses) this year.

As of October, 971 buses (including 145 electric buses) have been added. The government has allocated Rs. 500 crores to support these initiatives.