FILE PHOTO: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu marked the first anniversary of Stree Shakti by travelling with women beneficiaries and highlighting the scheme’s reach and impact. | Photo Credit: RAO GN

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday took an APSRTC bus to mark the first anniversary of Stree Shakti, a free bus travel scheme for women.

The Chief Minister boarded the bus from the Independence Day celebrations venue in the greenfield capital city of Amaravati, accompanied by the beneficiaries.

During the journey, the CM interacted with some women beneficiaries of the scheme and inquired about their families, income, health and others aspects of life.

Naidu also explained about Sanjeevani, a digital health record scheme to a beneficiary and asked her if she practised yoga.

Later, Naidu hosted high tea for the women who travelled with him at his camp office in Undavalli village and interacted with them.

“We have created the facility for women to travel freely to various places. Women are able to save money through this (Stree Shakti) scheme,” said Naidu.

During the interaction, Naidu asked them to understand the government’s various initiatives.

He said the government was focusing on highly backward families to support them, create awareness among them and asked people not to get swayed by inducements during elections.

The CM said women, who were once looked down upon, have reached a stage where they are earning more and contributing to the society.

He called on women to avail all the schemes being extended by the government and suggested them to market their DWCRA products for achieving financial success.

Further, he appealed to the beneficiaries to work towards eradicating marijuana and remain vigilant against those committing crime under the guise of politics.

An average of 24 lakh women travel every day under Stree Shakti, 87 crore journeys were recorded since its launch, said an official press release on Friday.

The government is providing a subsidy of Rs 8.53 crore per day towards women’s free travel under Stree Shakti and in one year it spent Rs 3,095 crore, it said.

The scheme is being implemented under five categories of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses, which include the Express, Ultra Pallevelugu, Pallevelugu, Metro Express and City Ordinary.

Of the APSRTC’s total fleet of 9,978 buses, 76 per cent are being utilised for the scheme.

The government has also extended the facility to women travelling on special bus services operated to temples.

Before introducing Stree Shakti,’ women accounted for 40 per cent of passengers travelling on APSRTC buses, which now has increased to 62 per cent.

The number of women travelling every day has also risen from 9.47 lakh to 24 lakh while occupancy on buses covered under the scheme has reached 93 per cent.

Women can travel anywhere within the state by simply showing their Aadhaar card, it said.

Published on August 15, 2026