1.66 Crore Free Rides By Women Cost J&K Rs 47 Crore

2026-02-23 03:09:08

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- The Free Women Travel Scheme introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir government has cost the exchequer approximately Rs 47.42 crore in its first 10 months of implementation, the Assembly was informed during the ongoing budget session.

The disclosure came in response to queries regarding the utilisation and fiscal impact of the scheme, which was announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his maiden Budget for 2025 to 26 and formally launched on April 1, 2025.

According to figures placed before the House, between April 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, as many as 34.95 lakh women travelled free of cost in buses operated by the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation. The financial implication for JKRTC alone stands at Rs 19.96 crore.

In addition, 1,31,25,262 women availed themselves of the facility in Smart City buses operating across urban centres during the same period, leading to a further financial impact of Rs 27.46 crore.

Taken together, a total of 1,66,20,262 women beneficiaries have used the zero ticket facility across JKRTC and Smart City buses within 10 months, pushing the cumulative cost to Rs 47.42 crore.

The government informed the Assembly that the entire fleet of diesel and electric buses operated by JKRTC is currently covered under the scheme across Jammu and Kashmir. However, it was also disclosed that while Rs 19.96 crore is due towards JKRTC for free ridership during the period under review, no funds have been released so far against this component.

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The scheme entitles all women in Jammu and Kashmir to travel free on government-operated public transport, including JKRTC buses and Smart City e-buses. It was introduced as a welfare measure aimed at improving women's access to education, employment and essential services by removing fare-related barriers.

The government has previously stated that transport operators would be compensated for the revenue foregone under the policy. The latest figures indicate both significant uptake of the scheme and a growing fiscal commitment tied to its implementation.

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