Stree Shakti a step towards women empowerment, dignity, says CM

The Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women is a step towards women empowerment and dignity, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Marking the first anniversary of the scheme’s rollout on Saturday, which was celebrated as ‘Stree Shakti Year – Double Dignity’, Mr. Naidu travelled by a bus with the women who came from various districts, from the Parade Grounds to the CM’s Camp Office via the Seed Access Road, after the Independence Day celebrations. He interacted with the women passengers and enquired about their families, livelihoods and experience with the scheme.

The beneficiaries said that free bus travel had reduced their expenses and expanded opportunities. A fisherwoman said she was saving ₹4,000 a month, while a woman from Nandyal said could save ₹1,500. A handloom worker said the scheme enabled her to travel for procuring material and marketing saris.

Launched on August 15 in 2025, the scheme provides free bus travel for girls, women and transgender persons domiciled in Andhra Pradesh on five categories of APSRTC buses.

Officials said 87 crore journeys had been recorded, with 24 lakh women travelling daily. The government spends ₹8.53 crore a day, with the total expenditure reaching ₹3,095 crore, on the scheme.

The scheme covers 7,631 buses of APSRTC’s fleet of 9,978, which is about 76% of the total fleet. Women’s share of travel has risen from 40% to 62%, while road accidents have reportedly declined.