Shakti scheme enters Golden Book of World Records

Bengaluru: The Congress government's flagship guarantee — the free bus travel scheme for women domiciled in Karnataka — has entered the Golden Book of World Records for facilitating over 500 crore rides in over two years. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the Shakti scheme facilitated 504.9 bus rides from June 11, 2023, to July 20, 2025. 

"This is a moment of pride for the entire state," he wrote on X. 

He noted that women's participation in the state's industrial sector had significantly increased due to the scheme, helping Karnataka become No 1 in per capita income in the country. 

"My belief that the Shakti scheme empowers women socially, educationally, economically and industrially has not gone in vain," he said. 

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said implementing the scheme was not easy. 

"Transport corporations had not added new buses for nearly five years, no new recruitment had taken place and the corporations were under heavy debt. In such a challenging situation, working together as one team and successfully leading the Shakti Scheme has given me immense personal satisfaction," he stated. 

Since the scheme's launch, he went on, the RTCs have added 5,800 new buses, recuited 10,000 personnel, secured government assistance of Rs 2,000 crore to clear debts, and recorded a significant increase in ridership. 

Citing a study entitled 'Beyond Free Rides' conducted by the Sustainable Mobility Network, he said women’s employment increased by 23% in Bengaluru and 21% in Hubballi-Dharwad due to the scheme.