✎ Priyadarshini scheme boosts women's mobility in Kerala with 12.93 lakh daily free journeys, incurring ₹267 crore liability.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Priyadarshini free travel scheme, launched by Kerala’s Congress-led UDF government on June 15, 2026, for women and transgender persons on KSRTC buses, completed 100 days on September 22, 2026, with an average of 12.93 lakh free journeys daily. The scheme has facilitated 12.62 crore free rides so far, incurring a financial liability of ₹267 crore for KSRTC, which the state government has agreed to cover through regular financial assistance. The daily ridership surged from 11.08 lakh in the first week to 14.96 lakh in the 14th week, reflecting a 29.4% increase, while the ticket value rose proportionally. This initiative, aimed at enhancing women’s mobility, has drawn attention amid a worsening crisis among private bus operators, who claim the scheme has severely impacted their revenues, leading to service disruptions and staff shortages. The state transport minister is under pressure to address the crisis, with private operators demanding fare hikes and increased student concessions to sustain their operations.
For aspirants of Bank PO, IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B, and SSC exams, this scheme highlights key governance and public policy issues, including fiscal management, social welfare initiatives, and the economic challenges faced by private transport sectors. The financial liability incurred by KSRTC and the government’s commitment to cover it underscore the importance of budgetary allocations and subsidies in public transport policies. Additionally, the scheme’s impact on private bus operators, who have reduced services or ceased operations, reflects the broader economic and social consequences of state-led welfare programs. Such topics are relevant for understanding governance, policy implementation, and their socio-economic implications, which are often tested in competitive exams.
Source: The Hindu
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