Naidu rolls out ‘Sthree Shakti’: Free bus travel for 2.62 Cr women across Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday launched the ‘Stree Shakti’ free bus travel scheme, enabling women, girls, and transgender persons with AP domicile status to travel anywhere in the state without paying a fare.

The scheme, part of Naidu’s flagship ‘Super Six’ election promises, is expected to benefit over 2.62 crore people.

Free travel across APSRTC fleet

The scheme covers five categories of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) services, Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express.

Out of APSRTC’s total fleet of 11,449 buses, 74 per cent will be open for free travel under Stree Shakti.

Symbolic ride with women passengers

To mark the launch, CM Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh travelled in an APSRTC bus from Undavalli to Vijayawada, accompanied by women beneficiaries.

As the bus passed through Tadepalli in Guntur district, residents lined the route to cheer them on. Women passengers took turns sitting beside the leaders and engaging in conversations.

Focus on women’s empowerment

Highlighting the scheme’s launch, Naidu said Stree Shakti would not only ease transportation expenses for women but also enhance their freedom of movement, access to education, and participation in the workforce.

Key promise under ‘Super Six’

The Sthree Shakti initiative is one of the ‘Super Six’ assurances given by Naidu during the 2024 election campaign.

The other five include Rs 1,500 monthly aid for women aged 19–59 years, 20 lakh jobs for youth or Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance, Rs 15,000 annual assistance to each school-going child (Talliki Vandanam).

Three free LPG cylinders per household annually (Deepam – 2) and Rs 20,000 annual financial aid to every farmer (Annadata Sukhibhava).