Mumbai, Aug 17: The ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme has given a new meaning to women’s economic empowerment by providing free bus travel to women and reducing the burden of daily travel expenses completing one year on August 15. It has received an overwhelming response from women, with an average of 24 lakh women travelling every day. Since its launch, women from various sections have made 87 crore journeys under the scheme. The government is providing a subsidy of Rs. 8.53 crore per day towards women’s travel. In the one year since its implementation, the government has spent Rs. 3,095 crores on the scheme.
The ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme is being implemented in five categories of APSRTC buses — Express, Ultra Pallevelugu, Pallevelugu, Metro Express and City Ordinary. Of the total 9,978 APSRTC buses, 76 per cent, or 7,631 buses, are being utilised for the scheme. The government has also extended the facility to women travelling on special bus services operated to temples. Before the introduction of the scheme, women accounted for 40 per cent of passengers travelling on APSRTC buses. This share has now increased to 62 per cent. The number of women travelling every day has also risen from 9.47 lakh to 24 lakh. Occupancy on buses covered under the scheme has reached 93 per cent.
The ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme has not only reduced women’s travel expenses but has also supported their access to education, employment, healthcare, business and other essential needs. The scheme has proved particularly beneficial for women travelling to colleges, those commuting between villages and towns for small businesses, and those visiting places of worship. Women can travel anywhere within the state by simply showing their Aadhaar card. While similar schemes in Telangana and Karnataka are being implemented across four categories of buses, Andhra Pradesh has extended free travel to women across five categories of buses. Officials have also brought to the government’s attention that road accidents in rural areas have declined significantly following the implementation of the scheme. As many people have reduced their dependence on shared autos and private vehicles and shifted to APSRTC buses, a noticeable decline in road accidents is estimated.
To mark one year of the scheme, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will interact with women beneficiaries on Saturday as part of statewide programmes being organised under the theme ‘One Year of Stree Shakti. Following the Independence Day celebrations at the Capital Parade Ground, the Chief Minister will participate in the special programme. He will travel by bus from the Parade Ground to the Chief Minister’s Camp Office along with beneficiaries of the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme. At the Camp Office, the Chief Minister will participate in a high tea with women beneficiaries and interact with them about the implementation of the scheme, the benefits they have received and their experiences. He will also seek their feedback and suggestions on the scheme.