Karwar: More than 1.3 crore women have benefitted from the Shakti scheme in the Karwar division of the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), with the value of the tickets issued so far amounting to ₹41.81 crore, said Rajendra H. Rane, Chairman of the Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee, Karwar.

He was speaking at a celebration event organized at the Karwar bus station on Monday to mark the milestone of 500 crore free rides availed by women across Karnataka under the Shakti scheme. As part of the event, Rane offered special prayers to a transport bus before addressing the gathering.

Rane highlighted that the Shakti scheme, one of the five flagship ‘Guarantee Schemes’ promised by the state government during elections, was launched in June 2023 and has now crossed 500 crore free trips across the state. He said all eligible women in the state have actively availed the benefits of the scheme.

He further emphasized that Karnataka has become the first state in the world to implement such a large-scale free bus travel initiative for women. He also mentioned the successful implementation of the other four schemes—Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyoti, Gruha Lakshmi, and Yuva Nidhi—alongside the Shakti scheme.

As part of the celebrations, drivers and conductors, considered instrumental in the success of the scheme, were felicitated. Sweets were distributed to the public and passengers, and gratitude was extended to the government and the transport department.

The event was attended by Soumya, Manager of NWKRTC Karwar division; Veeranagouda P. Enagoudar, Executive Officer of the Taluk Panchayat; members of the Taluk Guarantee Development Committee; bus drivers and conductors; and a large number of citizens and passengers.