Andhra Pradesh Forms Panel to Develop Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women

Amaravati - The Andhra Pradesh government announced on Saturday the formation of a three-member committee to study the feasibility of implementing free bus travel for women in the state. The committee will be headed by Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and includes Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani, and Home Minister V. Anitha.

The decision comes six months after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government assumed power, with the promise of free bus travel for women being a key election pledge. The government has cited various reasons for the delay, including festivals and the need to procure additional buses.

The committee's primary objective is to examine existing models of free bus travel for women in other states, such as Telangana and Karnataka, and develop a suitable framework for Andhra Pradesh. The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport, Roads and Buildings, will serve as the convenor of the committee.

The announcement was met with criticism from the opposition Congress party, with state President Y.S. Sharmila accusing the government of delaying tactics and insincerity. Sharmila highlighted the Congress party's success in implementing the scheme within a week of assuming power in Telangana and Karnataka, questioning the TDP government's commitment to the promise. Sharmila took to X to ask Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu why there was so much delay in fulfilling the poll promise, asking, "Do you need such a big effort to implement a small scheme?" She also questioned the government's commitment to women's safety and the need for additional funds, given that the RTC management had expressed readiness for the scheme.