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Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka govt's Shakti scheme registers 500 cr free bus rides
'Sakthi' scheme, announced by the Congress government in Karnataka, providing free bus travel for women, crossed the 500 crore free rides mark on Monday, officials said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar, and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy celebrated the occasion by symbolically issuing the 500th crore free ticket to a woman passenger here. 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state, is among the five guarantee schemes implemented by the Congress government on coming to power. Launched on June 11, 2023, the scheme has so far cost the government Rs 12,669 crore, officials said. "As this is a special occasion I have symbolically issued the 500th crore free ticket to a woman passenger," Siddaramaiah later told reporters. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said, by offering free bus travel to women, the scheme has significantly contributed to the economic, social, educational, professional and health empowerment of women across the state. Before the launch of the Shakti Scheme, around 85.84 lakh passengers were travelling by bus daily, now this number has risen to 1.17 crore passengers per day, highlighting the scheme's massive impact, it said in a release. Pointing at the operational expansion post-Shakti scheme roll out, it said the number of scheduled services increased from 21,164 (pre-Shakti) to 23,635 (post-Shakti), and the total number of buses increased from 23,948 to 26,130, including the replacement of 2,828 old vehicles. According to KSRTC, to mark the milestone, the CM, the Deputy CM and the transport minister presented and felicitated 30 women passengers, including students, senior citizens, and transgender individuals, with Ilkal sarees, sweets and roses. The woman who received the 500th crore Shakti ticket was honoured by the chief minister with a shawl, floral garland, and a memento. Members of Vijayapura's 'Odala Dhwani Stree Sangha' (women's group), empowered by the Shakti Scheme, started producing and selling organic rotis and holiges (sweet) in Bengaluru, generating lakhs in revenue. As a gesture of gratitude, they presented rotis to the CM, Deputy Chief Minister, and the transport minister, the release said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pink tickets mark Shakti's 500cr ridership, CM plays conductor
Chief minister Siddaramaiah took on the role of a city bus conductor Monday, issuing pink tickets to mark the popular Shakti scheme crossing the 500-crore ridership milestone. He was joined by his deputy DK Shivakumar, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy , other cabinet colleagues and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh on the occasion. As part of the event, the chief minister felicitated a woman passenger, Latha P, a resident of Chamarajpet who works in a bag factory, and gifted Ilkal sarees to nearly 30 commuters, including elderly citizens and students. Members of Odala Dhwani, a self-help group that has benefited from the scheme, presented their products to the ministers in gratitude. The group, which brings homemade items like roti and holige from Vijayapura to sell in Bengaluru, credited the scheme with helping them expand their operations. The chief minister explained how his administration implemented the scheme, while Shivakumar reiterated that all five guarantees of the state govt would continue despite criticism from opposition parties. "Women who commute daily to their workplaces by bus can save up to Rs 1,000 per month through this free travel facility," Shivakumar pointed out. To provide free bus travel for women on ordinary and express services, the four road transport corporations have spent Rs 12,699 crore. The RTCs claim their daily ridership has increased from over 85.8 lakh to nearly 1.8 crore since the scheme's introduction. To meet the growing demand, the number of buses in operation has been increased from 23,948 to 26,130 over the past two years. However, while implementing the scheme, RTCs have faced criticism of overcrowding and bus shortages. Reddy said the govt has approved the induction of 5,800 buses, of which 5,049 have already been added to the fleets of the four RTCs. To address staff shortages, 6,700 appointments have been made, and an additional 1,000 people were recruited on compassionate grounds.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
‘Shakti' scheme reaches 500 crore free rides for women
Bengaluru: The government's flagship Shakti Scheme, which was launched on June 11, 2023, has reached a monumental milestone — facilitating 500 crore free bus rides for women across the state by July 14, 2025. This marks a national record in public welfare transport initiatives and stands as a testament to the government's commitment to women's empowerment. The scheme has enabled millions of women to access free bus transportation, significantly contributing to their economic, social, educational, professional, and health development. As of today, the total value of free tickets issued under the scheme stands at Rs12,669 crore. To mark the 500 crore milestone, a symbolic ticket was presented to a female passenger during a celebratory event held in Bengaluru. Special events were also conducted at major bus stations across taluks and districts, including bus puja ceremonies, distribution of sweets, and greeting women commuters with roses. The Shakti Scheme allows all resident women of Karnataka, including students and gender minorities, to travel free of cost on city, ordinary, and express KSRTC buses. To strengthen the transport network, the government has approved the induction of 5,800 new buses, of which 5,049 have already been deployed across four major transport corporations. Additionally, 9,000 posts have been approved for recruitment to meet rising demands. Odal Dhwani Women's Collective (Vijayapura), empowered by the Shakti Scheme, has generated significant income through organic food products such as rotis and holiges, which were presented as a token of gratitude to Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Transport Minister. During the celebration, 30 women passengers, including students, senior citizens, and gender minorities, were honoured with traditional Ilkal sarees. The 500th crore ticket recipient was felicitated by the Chief Minister with a shawl, flower garland, and a commemorative gift. The Shakti Scheme stands as abold and inclusive initiative towards women's mobility, safety, and empowerment, making Karnataka a national leader in progressive public transport policy. . The scheme's success has earned Karnataka's transport corporations 185 national and international awards in the last two years alone. 'Apar Shakti' Total routes increased from 21,164 to 23,635 Total buses increased from 23,948 to 26,130 Old buses replaced: 2,828 Scheme impact & enhancements Pre-Shakti daily ridership: 85.84 lakh passengers Post-Shakti daily ridership: 1.17 crore passengers
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pink tickets mark Shakti's 500 crore ridership in Karnataka, chief minister plays bus conductor
Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah took on the role of a city bus conductor Monday, issuing pink tickets to mark the Shakti scheme crossing the 500-crore ridership milestone. He was joined by his deputy DK Shivakumar, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, other cabinet colleagues and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh on the occasion. As part of the event, the chief minister felicitated a woman passenger, Latha P, a resident of Chamarajpet who works in a bag factory, and gifted Ilkal sarees to nearly 30 commuters, including elderly citizens and students. Members of Odala Dhwani, a self-help group that has benefited from the scheme, also presented their products to the ministers as a gesture of gratitude. The group, which brings homemade items like roti and holige from Vijayapura to sell in Bengaluru, credited the scheme with helping them expand their operations. The chief minister explained how his administration implemented the scheme, while Shivakumar reiterated that all five guarantees of the govt would continue despite criticism from opposition parties. "Women who commute daily to their workplaces by bus can save up to Rs 1,000 per month through this free travel facility," Shivakumar said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru To provide free bus travel for women on ordinary and express services, the four road transport corporations have spent Rs 12,699 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Macaé (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo The RTCs claim that their daily ridership has increased from 85.84 lakh to 1.17 crore since the scheme's introduction. To meet growing demand, the number of buses in operation has been increased from 23,948 to 26,130 over the past two years. However, while implementing the scheme, RTCs have faced criticism of overcrowding and bus shortages. Reddy said the govt has approved the induction of 5,800 buses, of which 5,049 have already been added to the fleets of the four RTCs. To address staff shortages, 6,700 appointments have been made, and an additional 1,000 people were recruited on compassionate grounds.
