Bengaluru, 9 June

The Karnataka government will issue smart cards to women under the Shakti Scheme, enabling them to travel free in state-run buses more effectively, according to Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh.

The Minister said that more than three crore people in the state are expected to receive these smart cards. Women will receive the cards at no cost, while men can obtain them by paying a fee, similar to a MetroCard. "These cards will need to be recharged once the balance is exhausted."

Since around three crore smart cards need to be issued, the government plans to invite tenders for their production, the minister further said, adding that officials have been instructed to begin the smart card distribution process soon under a pilot project.

Suresh officially assumed office as Transport Minister on Monday and met officials.

Later, he visited the headquarters of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and held a meeting with the heads and senior officials of four transport corporations -- KSRTC, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC)-- to review the transport department's functioning.

"The Congress government in Karnataka has improved people's lives through its five guarantee schemes.

Crores of women are benefiting from the Shakti Scheme (that provides free bus travel for women) and passenger numbers have increased by about 40 per cent since the scheme was introduced," Suresh was quoted as saying in a statement from his office.

The Minister stated that the state government will purchase 1,000 buses using state funds. In addition, 4,000 electric buses will be procured with financial assistance from the central government. These buses will be purchased in phases and distributed among the four transport corporations.

Emphasising that special priority is being given to the safety of women and girls, Suresh said, officials have been directed to accelerate the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Systems (VLTS) in private passenger vehicles like commercial cars, taxis, and other transport vehicles.

"So far, this system has been installed in more than one lakh vehicles. Officials have been instructed to complete installation in the remaining four to five lakh vehicles within the next three to four months," he added.