NEWS – 23% Rise in Women’s Employment in Bengaluru After Shakti Scheme Implementation
HIGHLIGHTS

• Employment Boost Post-Scheme:
  • Bengaluru saw a 23% increase in women’s employment.
  • Hubballi-Dharwad recorded a 21% rise.
  • Data from the report “Beyond Free Rides: A Multi-State Assessment of Women’s Bus Fare Subsidy Schemes in Urban India”.
• Karnataka Leads Among States:
  • Karnataka emerged as top performer among five states (Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka).
  • Women reported increased travel frequency and longer distances for jobs, education, and essentials.
• Impact on Mobility:
  • 27% of surveyed women in Karnataka switched to buses post-scheme.
  • Over 508 crore trips made by women from June 2023 to July 2025.
• Persistent Challenges:
  • First-last mile connectivity still weak; dependence on paid modes like autos.
  • Safety concerns: less than 50% feel safe; issues include harassment and poor lighting.

Scheme Details: Shakti Yojana

• Launch: June 11, 2023.
• Aim: Women’s empowerment via free bus travel.
• Eligibility: All women residents of Karnataka.
• Mode: Free in non-AC, state-run buses only.
• Coverage: KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC buses.

Recommendations:

• Expand bus fleet.
• Strengthen safety infrastructure (CCTV, helplines).
• Improve last-mile connectivity.
• Conduct gender-sensitivity training for transport staff.