Stree Shakti To Benefit 2.62 Crore Women

Amaravati: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu rolled out the flagship Stree Shakti, the free RTC bus travel scheme for women in AP, at an event held at the Pandit Nehru bus station here on Friday.

Naidu, who travelled in an RTC bus for a distance along with deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, later said the scheme would benefit 2.62 crore women across the state.

“Women will get financial support through the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme. The launch of the scheme on Independence Day is significant,” he said.

The CM said, “I am very happy today. We have fulfilled the promise given to girls. In the past, we had reserved seats for women in RTC buses. Now I am providing you free bus travel facility. From now on, every girl child can travel free across the state.”

“I travelled in an RTC bus with my friend, Pawan Kalyan. I spoke to many women along the way. After listening to their words, I felt satisfied that I did something good for girls,” Naidu said.

The CM said, “Some 2.62 crore women would benefit from this scheme. We are spending `62 crore per month and ` 1,942 crore per year to implement this scheme.

The CM said, “Currently, APSRTC operates 11,449 buses in the state, out of which women have been allowed to travel free in 8,458 buses. We are strengthening the entire system with 129 depots, 423 bus stations and four zonal workshops in the state. We are soon bringing 1,050 electric buses in 11 major cities under the PM-e Bus Seva scheme. We are bringing in more income through parcel service. We will increase door delivery and door pickup services.”

The Chief Minister stated that for the safety of women, GPS is installed in every bus to track the route and where the bus is going in real time.

Naidu said the government would take steps to ensure that auto drivers do not face loss of revenue to them due to free bus travel.

“Some people are spewing poison. They called Amaravati a graveyard and a desert. With the help of the Centre, the Amaravati and Polavaram works are progressing rapidly.”

He referred to the ZPTC polls. “Recently, the ZPTC election was held in Pulivendula. A person wrote on the ballot that he has voted after 30 years. Another person wrote a slip on the ballot demanding justice for ‘our Viveka sir’. Some hardened criminals under the guise of politics want to disturb society. I will not let their games continue.”

“This is not the 2025 CM; I am the 1995 CM,” Naidu said.

Infograph:

- Stree Shakti applicable in Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, or Metro Express.

- APSRTC operates 11,449 buses in the state, out of which women have been allowed to travel free in 8,458 buses.

- Soon, APSRTC will be bringing 1,050 electric buses in 11 major cities under the PM-e Bus Seva scheme.

- GPS is installed in every bus to track the route and where the bus is going in real time, for the safety of women.