CM Omar Launches Initiative for Free Bus Service for Women in J&K
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative (free bus service) for women in Jammu and Kashmir from the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC), marking a significant step towards gender-inclusive mobility.
The program guarantees free travel for women in all Smart City e-buses and J&K Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses throughout the Union Territory, fulfilling a significant budget announcement. Prior to the formal flag-off, the Chief Minister also launched Zero-Ticket Travel for schoolgirls, demonstrating the government’s dedication to providing young children with safe and easily accessible transportation.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that this program is a daring move toward women’s empowerment and inclusive development, not only a welfare measure.
“Starting today, women across Jammu and Kashmir will travel free of cost in all Smart City and SRTC buses. This isn’t just about affordability; it’s about accessibility, safety, and creating an environment where women feel empowered to travel freely. Our vision is to make J&K a model of inclusive growth where no woman is held back due to mobility constraints,” he said.
The chief minister added about his budget speech, when he said that women would be allowed to ride for free on government vehicles, including Smart City e-buses. “During the budget, we made a special announcement for women that our RTC buses and Smart City e-buses would be free to use after 1st April. Today, we started the service with the hope that it will be easier for them to travel, whether it is for education, shopping, work or sightseeing,” Omar Abdullah said.
“We hope that they will be able to travel all over Jammu and Kashmir in a safe environment,” he remarked. The scheme, which was first announced on March 7 during the Chief Minister’s Budget Speech, is part of a broader series of pro-women and pro-poor initiatives aimed at fostering social and economic empowerment.
Accompanying the Chief Minister at the launch event were Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo, Minister for Transport Satish Sharma, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanveer Sadiq, along with senior government officials, including Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Transport Commissioner J&K, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (who is also CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited), Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and Managing Director State Road Transport Corporation.
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