Free Bus Travel For Women; Full Rush In Temples, Boost To Tourism

The Shakti scheme of free bus travel for women launched by the Congress government has seen an increase in the number of people arriving at the temple, which has boosted tourism. Lakhs of women visit Hindu pilgrimage sites in large numbers this weekend. Buses from Bengaluru and all district centers are plying at full capacity and women are traveling in large groups. Sources said that the success of this project is a huge setback for the BJP in the state and challenges the party’s role as the protector of Hinduism. Her family members also get free travel under the scheme, making it difficult to convince her relatives against the ruling Congress, BJP sources said.During the monsoon, there is usually no rush at Hindu pilgrimage centers amid torrential rains, while Shri Shakti groups have been organizing pilgrimages for women, some of which began on Saturday morning. Major pilgrimage sites like Dharmasthala, Kukke Subrahmanya, Kollur, Mysore Chamundeshwari Hill, Savadatti Yallamma and Kudala Sangama are frequented by devotees, especially women. They are also visiting their family deities. According to an official statement issued by the transport department on Saturday, between June 11-23, more than 6.57 crore women traveled to various destinations using buses.