"Will help thousands of women": Keralam Minister Chennithala on 'Priyadarshini' free bus travel scheme
Thrissur, June 15
Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said the newly launched Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's Priyadarshini Scheme will significantly benefit thousands of women in the State by providing free travel in ordinary bus services. The key welfare initiative, he said, is aimed at improving mobility and social inclusion.
The scheme, a flagship initiative of the state government aimed at providing free bus travel to women and transgender persons on KSRTC ordinary services across the State came into effect from June 15.
Explaining the benefits of the programme, Chennithala said, "A special program has been launched by the Keralam government. This is free travel in all the ordinary buses of Kerala. This will help thousands of women in Keralam."
Linking the initiative to broader welfare commitments, he added, "This guarantee has been announced as the Indira Guarantee by Rahul Gandhi, and this is the first step."
Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday flagged off a bus under the 'Priyadarshini Scheme', The scheme was formally launched at a function attended by government officials, KSRTC personnel and members of the public.
The State government has described the initiative as a major welfare measure aimed at strengthening social inclusion and enhancing the economic empowerment of beneficiaries.
A woman KSRTC bus driver welcomed the Priyadarshini Scheme, describing it as a significant initiative aimed at supporting women and transgender persons through free travel facilities on state-run buses.
The initiative is expected to benefit a large number of daily commuters by reducing transportation expenses and promoting greater access to education, employment and other opportunities.
Speaking about the initiative, KSRTC bus driver Sheela expressed happiness over being part of the programme, calling it a memorable moment in her career.
"I am very happy. I joined the service in 2013, and I have never been part of such a major event before. Providing free travel for women is a good initiative, and I believe it will be beneficial to them," bus driver Sheela said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but I hope this doesn't lead to overcrowding in buses. Already during peak hours, KSRTC ordinary services are packed like a tin of sardines! They should also increase the number of buses if they're serious about this scheme. Free travel is nice, but quality of service matters too.
I'm a daily wage worker from Thrissur and this scheme is a blessing for women like me. Earlier I used to walk 3 km to save bus fare. Now I can take the bus without worrying about the cost. My only request to the government - please ensure the buses run on time and that women feel safe, especially during early morning and late evening trips. 🙏
As a student who depends on KSRTC, I've mixed feelings. While I appreciate the focus on women's empowerment, this is going to put additional financial burden on the already struggling KSRTC. We saw what happened with the free bus scheme in Delhi - buses became too crowded and maintenance suffered. Hope Kerala learns from other states' experiences.
This is what we call actual progress! Free bus travel for women and transgender persons will encourage more women to step out for work and education. I'm a working professional in Kochi and this will definitely help many women from lower-income families. But the government must also ensure proper CCTV cameras and women conductors on these buses. Safety should be priority number one! 💪
Nice political move by UDF government, but let's be honest - this is just election gimmickry. Rahul Gandhi's 'Indira Guarantee
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