Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy credited the Mahalakshmi scheme with expanding women’s mobility in Telangana after a national survey recorded a 10.9-percentage-point rise in their daily travel between 2019 and 2024. The National Statistical Office’s (NSO) All India Time Use Survey showed a marked increase in the share of women travelling outside their homes.
In a post on X, Revanth said the scheme went beyond providing free bus rides. Instead, he described it as a symbol of women’s dignity, freedom and independence. He added that the survey findings reflected his government’s efforts to empower women.
The Congress government launched the Mahalakshmi scheme within 48 hours of taking office. Under the initiative, women can travel free on Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) buses. According to Revanth, the benefit has expanded access to education, employment and livelihood opportunities.
The Chief Minister said up to 37 lakh women use the facility daily to reach schools, colleges and workplaces. As a result, the scheme helps reduce their travel expenses while allowing them greater freedom to move around.
Mahalakshmi scheme leads travel growth among four states
The NSO survey data, published by an English-language daily, showed that the share of Telangana women aged 15 to 59 who travelled outside their homes at least once a day rose from 43.7% in 2019 to 54.6% in 2024. This marked a 10.9-percentage-point increase over five years.
Among states offering free bus travel to women, Telangana recorded the largest increase. Tamil Nadu followed with a rise of 6.7 percentage points, while Karnataka recorded 5 points and Punjab 4.1 points. Meanwhile, men’s daily travel in Telangana increased by 7.1 percentage points. Women’s increase was therefore 3.8 percentage points higher.
Across the four states offering free bus travel, women’s daily travel rose by an average of 6.6 percentage points. In comparison, other states recorded an average increase of 4.4 percentage points, according to the published survey data.
Revanth welcomed the findings and thanked TGSRTC employees for transporting millions of women daily. He also praised Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for overseeing the department and supporting the scheme’s implementation.