As of April 2025, KSRTC’s Chamarajanagar unit recorded the journey of 1.482 billion passengers under the Shakti program. |Picture source: File Photo
Among the five guarantees initiated by the Congressional government, Shakti plans to provide free travel for women on state-run buses, with an overwhelming response in the Chamarajanagar area.
The program was launched on June 11, 2023 and allows for free travel on buses from Karnataka Road Transport Corporation. Since its inception, the number of women commuting in the region has surged.
As of April 2025, KSRTC’s Chamarajanagar unit recorded the journey of 1.482 billion passengers under the Shakti program. Among them, women made a journey of 90,800 million. According to a press release from the Ministry of Information and Public Relations, the total revenue of KSRTC is Rs 55.16 billion, of which Rs 328.16 crore is ticketing for women passengers and the government will repay the company to the company.
The program enables women to travel for a variety of purposes, including employment, education, pilgrimage, travel and daily travel.
By eliminating travel expenses, many women reported increased financial stability, especially those engaged in private companies, small businesses and retail stores, the release added.
The plan also led to a significant increase in the number of women visiting religious and tourist destinations throughout the region.
Famous locations include Mahadeshwara Mountain in Hanur Taluk; Biligiri Ranganabetta in Yelandur Taluk and Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills in Gundlupet Taluk.
R. Ashok Kumar, the KSRTC department controller, said the footprints of male Mahadeshwara Hills were during festivals such as New Moon Days, Shivaratri, ugadi and Deepavali.
Increased mobility of women has also improved local businesses, especially in religious and tourism hubs.
Economic activity for fairs and festivals in these areas has increased due to the increase in female visitors.
publishing – May 17, 2025 08:53 pm ist
