100 Days, 12.62 Crore Rides: Kerala’s Priyadarshini Scheme Enters Its Next Phase

The Kerala government’s Priyadarshini scheme completed 100 days on Tuesday, with 12.62 crore free rides recorded on KSRTC ordinary service buses, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said. The scheme was launched on June 15, 2026.

Satheesan said 12.88 lakh women used the service daily. He described the scheme as one of the Indira guarantees announced by the United Democratic Front during its poll campaign.

According to the Chief Minister, the scheme has supported students, workers and other daily commuters. He also said the number of women travelling to tourist destinations such as Gavi and Ponmudi increased by 94 per cent after the scheme was introduced.

Satheesan said overall ridership on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses increased by 43 per cent, while the number of male passengers was not affected. The figures were cited in his social media post marking the completion of 100 days.

Transport Minister C P John said the number of Priyadarshini buses would not be increased. Instead, buses operating on some routes would be rearranged or shifted to other routes, depending on requirements. He said instructions had already been issued for the changes.

John said the scheme had completed its first 100 days since its launch and that passenger numbers were expected to increase further. On Monday, he had said the number of women travelling on state transport corporation buses had risen by 60 per cent.

The state government will also hold celebrations at all 93 KSRTC depots to mark the 100-day milestone, according to the minister.

The Priyadarshini scheme provides free travel to women on KSRTC ordinary service buses. The Chief Minister’s latest figures also included transgender individuals among beneficiaries, although the scheme’s public description has focused on free travel for women.

John also said buses would be shifted where necessary to meet passenger demand.

The 100-day figures provide an early assessment of passenger use since the scheme began. Further changes to route deployment will depend on requirements identified by KSRTC and the Transport Department.