‘Free travel for women is not gratis’; CM inaugurates ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said free travel for women is not gratis. The chief minister clarified that Priyadarshini is a project that will have socio-economic repercussions. The chief minister said this while inaugurating the state level launch of the project. The chief minister stated that the project aims to ensure women can travel with dignity and confidence. He also expressed pride in implementing the Indira Guarantee promise within a month of the government assuming office.

Chief Secretary A Jayathilak said that this is a journey into history. He clarified that although free travel is in the ordinary, the decision is not ordinary. Minister K A Thulasi said free travel will bring a big change for struggling women.

Women and transgenders can travel free in KSRTC ordinary buses from today. 3125 buses will have the sticker 'Priyadarshini Free Travel'. The scheme announced by the UDF, included in the Indira Gandhi guarantee during the elections, has been implemented. Special tickets will be given to women to determine the number of passengers and calculate the subsidy to be given to KSRTC from the government for the scheme. Free travel will be available in ordinary, city ordinary, limited stop ordinary, town to town, fair stage ordinary, point to point ordinary and gramavandi buses.