Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 9: In a major relief for women travelling for free under the state government's ambitious 'Shakti' scheme, a 'smart card' system will soon be implemented. Once this new system is in place, the daily hassle of displaying an Aadhaar card or other physical IDs during bus journeys will be completely eliminated.
The government is preparing to distribute smart cards to over three crore women beneficiaries across the state. This move aims to resolve the everyday confusion and delays faced by conductors and passengers while verifying physical identity cards.
After officially taking charge as the transport minister, Byrathi Suresh held a detailed meeting with department officials. Speaking to the media, he stated that the smart card system is being introduced to make free bus travel under the Shakti scheme even smoother and more efficient.
He informed that these smart cards will be issued free of cost to women. Men, on the other hand, can obtain these cards by paying a prescribed fee, similar to Namma Metro cards. The cards will feature a top-up system, allowing male passengers to recharge them once the balance is exhausted.
As the massive project requires the printing of over three crore smart cards, the government is currently preparing to invite tenders. The minister has instructed officials to expedite the process and initiate the distribution of smart cards shortly under a pilot project.
Meanwhile, the minister visited the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) headquarters and held a review meeting with senior officials from KSRTC, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
During the meeting, the minister emphasized that the state Congress government's five guarantee schemes have significantly improved people's lives. Noting the massive success of the Shakti scheme, he highlighted that passenger ridership across state corporations has surged by approximately 40 percent since its launch.
Currently, women are required to show their Aadhaar cards or other original government ID proofs to avail of the free travel facility. This often leads to unnecessary confusion and delays, especially during rush hours when passengers struggle to find their IDs in their bags. The upcoming smart card system is expected to serve as a permanent solution to this issue, making public transport much more convenient for women across Karnataka.