Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
The salient features of the scheme are:
All women of the state are eligible to avail this scheme.It is estimated that around 41.81 lakh women (including11.58 pass holders) will be benefitted
from this scheme.
Free travel is permitted only within the state.However, this scheme is extended to some enclave and solitary routes operated to interstate places also.
Women can travel in 6308city,5958 ordinary and 6343 express buses (totally 18609 buses).Free travel will not be permitted in luxury and premium buses.
Necessary changes have been made in the ETM application for issue of free ticket and all concerned staff have been trained.
Zero-value ticket will be issued after verifying the identity card.In case of technical issues in ETM,pink tickets will be issued by the conductor manually.
Provision has been made for reservation of seats for women in buses with advance booking facility.
The cost of travel will be reimbursed to the Corporations based on the Zero ticket/Shakti smart card issued data.
Shakti smart cards can be obtained by submitting applications in Sevasindhu portal from June 15th onwards.The Shakti cards will be issued in the next three months to the eligible beneficiaries.
Until Shakti card is issued to women,free travel will be allowed on producing identity card bearing photograph and residential address that is issued by GoI/GoK or any other Government Undertaking.
Other related points:
It is planned by the Corporations to procure 1894 buses during the year.
Nevertheless,after implementation of Shakti scheme, action will be taken to induct more buses as per demand.
Recruitment of personnel will be made as needed.
It is expected that women passengers may increase on some routes requiring.more buses.In such cases, the timetable will be revised and schedules rationalised to meet this demand.
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation is a Public Transport organisation which came into existence as an independent Corporation under Sec.3 of the
RTC Act,1950 on 1-8-1961.
The objective of the Corporation is to provide
adequate,efficient,economical and properly coordinated transport service.
KSRTC was a monolithic STU till 1996-97.Thereafter, the State Government divided KSRTC and carved out three new Corporations.
• BMTC was established on 15-08-1997.
• NWKRTC was established on 01-11-1997.
• NEKRTC now known as KKRTC was established on 01-10-2000.
Important highlights of 4 STUs for 2022-23:
• Divisions: 40.
• Depots : 240.
• Bus Stations: 557.
• Buses held: 23989.
• Services operated per day: 21574.
• Average km operated per day: 65.02 lakh km.
• Average passengers carried per day: 82.51 passengers.
• Staff employed: 104450.
Today on 11.06.2023,the Government has launched it’s ambitious scheme‘Shakti’free travel for women flagship programme which is a step towards strengthening woman empowerment in the state.
Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah,along with DCM DK Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and other ministers launched the ambitious “Shakti” scheme to provide free travel for women across the state in State Road Transport Corporation buses implemented by the Government of Karnataka In
front of the Grand Steps of Vidhana Soudha.
Rizwan Arshad,MLA,Shivajinagar has chaired the function.The programme was presided by Deputy
Chief Minister,DK Shivakumar and Minister for Transport,Muzrai and Chairman of 04 Road Transport Corporations of Karnataka, Ramalinga Reddy,K.J. Geroge,Minister of Energy,Krishna Byregowda,Minister for Revenue,Madhu Bangarappa,Minister for Primary and Higher Education,Dr.K.Govindaraju Political Secretary to Chief Minister,B.K.Hariprasad MLC, Prakash K Rathod,MLC,U.B.Venkatesh,MLC’’s M. Nagraj Yadav,MLC,H.M.Revanna,Ex-Transport Minister and M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy IAS,(Rtd),Chairman,One Man Committee,Smt Vanditha Sharma IAS,Chief Secretary to Government and Dr N.V. Prasad,IAS,Secretary to Government Transport Department were participated in the function as Special Invitees.
This Shakthi scheme has been launched at All District and Taluks centres at the same time by the Divisional Controllers of 04 RTC’s.
In this programme Minister’s of Government of Karnataka,MP’s of Lokasaba and Rajyasabha,MLA’s and MLC’s, Senior Officers of Government,V.Anbukkumar IAS,Managing Director KSRTC,G.Sathyavathi,IAS, Managing Director,BMTC,Prashant Kumar Mishra IAS,
Director,(P&V) KSRTC,VIP’s,Officers of Government and Staffs were present.
