Shakti Yojana | Women avail free bus rides in Karnataka

Women in Karnataka can now travel for free in government buses as the government rolled out one of its five poll guarantees -- the 'Shakti' scheme. Here are pictures of women availing free bus transport on Sunday after the scheme was launched.

Women in Karnataka started travelling for free in government buses in the state from Sunday (June 11) with the rollout of the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress -- the 'Shakti' scheme. Credit: IANS Photo

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar launched free travel scheme for women in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Credit: IANS Photo

The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for journeys within the state limits. Credit: IANS Photo

This free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers every day and would cost the state exchequer Rs 4,051.56 crore annually, officials said. Credit: IANS Photo

The scheme began by providing free rides for women and girl students of the state in government buses from the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha. Credit: PTI Photo

Women can apply for the Shakti Smart Card by registering on the 'Seva Sindhu' government portal to avail the benefits of the scheme. Credit: IANS Photo

The government noted that this scheme would reduce the travel expenses of working women from poor and lower-middle-class backgrounds. Credit: PTI Photo