'Shakti' Scheme: Free Travel for Women on Buses with Stickers Only

The Karnataka Government is gearing up to implement its first 'guarantee' as promised in the Congress manifesto through the 'Shakti' scheme. On Sunday, June 11, women across the state will be entitled to free travel in government buses.

To ensure clarity and avoid confusion, the Transport Department has decided to affix stickers on buses that offer this free bus service exclusively for women, while excluding sleeper and luxury buses from the scheme.

The official launch of the 'Shakti' scheme will take place at 11 am in front of Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The scheme will be implemented statewide from 1 pm on the same day.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy addressed reporters at Vidhana Soudha, highlighting the preparations made for the launch of the 'Shakti' scheme.

"The scheme will be launched here at Vidhana Soudha, and then we will travel to Majestic, where we will give the green signal to the scheme. It will be launched simultaneously across Karnataka. After 1 pm, women can travel for free in government buses. Stickers will be attached to buses that offer free travel for women to prevent confusion. Buses without stickers are not part of the free service," stated Ramalinga Reddy.

Under the scheme, sleepers and luxury buses have been excluded. Buses traveling outside the state, including sleeper buses (both AC and non-AC), Vayu Vajra, EV Power Plus (AC), Ambari, Airavat, and Flybus, will not offer free travel.

The minister further emphasized that all beneficiaries must obtain the 'Shakti Smart Card' within the next three months.

"The smart card will help us track the number of women passengers and their travel distances. This data will be useful for reimbursement to the Transport corporations," added the minister.

Regarding the extension of the scheme to private buses, especially in coastal regions where government buses are limited in number, the minister stated that no such proposal is currently under consideration by the government.