A delegation from the Andhra Pradesh government recently visited Bengaluru to gather information on implementing the Shakti Yojana, a scheme promising free travel for women. As promised during elections, the Andhra government is taking steps to introduce the initiative in their state.
The team included key officials such as Home Minister Anita, Transport Minister Ram Mohan Reddy, and Women and Welfare Minister Sandhyarani. The delegation visited the Shantinagar BMTC bus stand to understand the Shakti Yojana’s operations, gathering feedback from passengers. One female commuter shared that she previously paid ₹1200 per month for a bus pass but now benefits from free travel under the scheme. The delegation also toured the KSRTC depot, interacting with staff and learning about bus maintenance and service operations.
Home Minister Anita expressed her appreciation for the successful implementation of the Shakti Yojana in Karnataka, stating that the scheme has benefited women travelers. She expressed confidence that the Andhra government would adopt similar practices and rules to implement the project effectively in their state. The team is expected to take further steps in executing this free travel initiative for women in Andhra Pradesh soon.
The team also had discussions with BMTC officials about the operational challenges faced during the initial phase of the scheme’s implementation in Bengaluru. The Andhra delegation showed particular interest in the system’s infrastructure and the management of bus schedules, which have played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the program.