Telangana’s ‘Mahalakshmi’ Scheme Empowers Women, Saves ₹10,000 Crores

Telangana’s ‘Mahalakshmi’ free bus travel scheme , a landmark initiative promoting women’s empowerment , has achieved a remarkable milestone. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) officially announced that under the scheme, women across the state have so far saved ₹10,000 crores in travel expenses. The programme was launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy .

28 Months of Travel – Over 2.9 Billion Journeys

Initiated on December 9, 2023 , the scheme began within 48 hours of the public announcement and has brought transformative changes to women’s lives over the past 28 months . According to TSRTC Managing Director Nagireddy , women have undertaken over 290 crore free journeys during this period. Previously, women from middle- and lower-income groups, labourers, and students spent between ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 per month on travel. The scheme now allows them to retain these funds, strengthening financial self-reliance .

Rising Female Ridership

Since the launch of Mahalakshmi, the share of female passengers on TSRTC buses has surged from 40% to 67% . Currently, an average of 3.5 million women travel daily using this service.

Upcoming Smart Card System

At present, women avail free travel by showing their Aadhaar card . To simplify the process and accurately track travel data, TSRTC will soon introduce chip-based smart cards , allowing women to travel without presenting Aadhaar cards . In response to growing demand, the government is also adding more buses . Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed delight at the scheme’s success, noting that it enables women to travel freely for education, employment, medical care, and spiritual journeys . He commended TSRTC staff for supporting this historic initiative. The government reimburses TSRTC for the cost of free tickets, ensuring the corporation remains financially stable and able to meet staff salaries and operational expenses .

Current Coverage – 81% of Bus Services

• Palle Velugu: 3,278 buses

• District Express: 2,039 buses

• City Ordinary: 1,829 buses

• City Metro Express: 1,044 buses

The Mahalakshmi scheme is not merely a free travel programme; it is a model for women’s socio-economic participation in Telangana, enhancing self-respect, financial independence , and serving as a national benchmark for empowerment initiatives .