'Mahalakshmi': 6.50 Cr women traveled by TSRTC buses; zero tickets worth Rs 10 Cr issued every day

Hyderabad: Nearly 6.50 crore women have traveled by TSRTC buses for free since the day the Mahalakshmi scheme was introduced.

Under this scheme, an average of 27 lakh women are traveling every day. Zero tickets worth Rs.10 crore are issued per day.

On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka appreciated the TSRTC for successfully implementing the ‘Mahalakshmi’ free bus facility scheme. He held a review meeting with the officials.

"It is a good thing that nearly 6.50 crore women have traveled in buses under this scheme so far. More steps should be taken to implement this scheme without hindrance," said Deputy CM.

"The government will provide full support and cooperation to TSRTC on behalf of the Finance Department. Orders have been issued to the officials of the finance department to provide the necessary funds to the organization as per the management cost. After reviewing the funds related to the dues of the staff, company debts, PF, CCS, and other settlements, a decision will be taken soon. The officials were advised to focus on alternative sources of income and increase the management capacity," Bhatti Vikramarka said.

After coming to power on December 7, the newly-elected Congress government in Telangana made intra-state bus rides free for all women. Although one can assume that the initiative can put a burden of crores of rupees on government spending, it has brought smiles to many women passengers who said that the public scheme has helped them save a lot of money. The free bus rides were part of the Congress’ six guarantees the party promised during the elections.

The ticket-free rides for women are for local city buses and inter-district Express buses and do not cover air-conditioned luxury buses, buses like Volvo, Pushpak etc. Also, in case the bus is crossing the borders of Telangana and is headed for Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra or Karnataka, then the ticket fare from the border to the destination will be applicable.

The no-ticket policy has also benefitted bus conductors by decreasing their workload by almost 50 per cent.