Srinagar, April 1 — Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today flagged off the free bus service for women, a move aimed at improving mobility and empowering women across the region. The event took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, with prominent dignitaries in attendance, including Honourable Ministers Sakina Itoo and Satish Sharma, along with CM’s advisor Nasir Sogami.
The initiative, which will provide free travel on all Smart City and SRTC buses, is designed to make public transportation more accessible and safer for women, particularly working professionals, students, and daily commuters. This is a key part of the Jammu and Kashmir government’s broader efforts to enhance women’s welfare and promote gender equality in the region.
“Enhancing mobility is key to greater opportunities, independence, and progress. This initiative paves the way for women to move forward, both literally and figuratively,” CM Abdullah said during the flag-off ceremony.
The program, which is expected to significantly ease the travel burdens on women, will be available across the region, with free services beginning today. In a statement posted on the official account of the Chief Minister’s Office, the government emphasized that the bus service is not just a welfare measure but a strong commitment to women’s empowerment, accessible mobility, and a more inclusive Jammu and Kashmir.
The government also highlighted that the launch marks a fulfillment of promises made during the election campaign. Prior to taking office, the National Conference (NC) government had outlined several welfare schemes for the people of the region, including free transportation for women, 200 units of electricity for low-income families, and an additional ten kilograms of rice for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
This free bus service initiative is viewed as a significant milestone in improving women’s access to public services, in line with the administration’s ongoing efforts to uplift women and marginalized groups.
The implementation of these schemes, including the free transportation program, will occur in phases, with further expansion expected in the coming months. The government has also instructed relevant departments to ensure smooth coordination for the successful execution of the project.
