
‘Stree Shakti' benefits 47 lakh women in four days in Andhra Pradesh
On Monday alone, over 18 lakh women travelled on zero-fare tickets, saving more than Rs 7 crore. So far, the scheme has generated collective savings of nearly Rs 19 crore for women passengers.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress with APSRTC officials at the Secretariat on Monday, approving its extension to buses operating on ghat routes. He directed that women may use either a physical or digital Aadhaar card for verification and suggested installing clear signboards on buses for easy identification.
Officials said women have expressed delight at the savings, terming the initiative a game-changer.
The government has stressed smooth implementation to sustain the scheme's impact and reach women even in remote areas.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
HAL, Other Defence Stocks Surge Up To 4% As Govt Approves Rs 62,000 Crore Tejas Mark 1A Order
Last Updated: Tejas programme, backed strongly by Defence Ministry and the IAF, is seen as a key step in India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing Defence stocks, including Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) rallied on Wednesday after the government cleared a major deal worth Rs 62,000 crore for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets. HAL shares climbed 3.5% to a day's high of Rs 4,611.60 on the BSE, while BDL gained 1.35% to Rs 1,570.45. The approval, cleared at a high-level government meeting, paves the way for HAL to begin production of the aircraft. This is the second big order for the Tejas Mark 1A. The first, placed a few years ago, was for 83 jets worth nearly Rs 48,000 crore. With the latest deal, the IAF's order book now stands at 180 Tejas fighters, which will replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet being phased out in the coming weeks, defence officials said. The Tejas programme, backed strongly by the Defence Ministry and the IAF, is seen as a key step in strengthening India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It is also expected to create opportunities for hundreds of small and medium enterprises in the supply chain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal supporter of the indigenous fighter project. He became the first Indian PM to fly in a combat aircraft when he undertook a sortie in the trainer variant of Tejas, later describing the experience as 'enriching" and a testament to India's defence capabilities. The latest order comes alongside other approvals worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore by the Defence Acquisition Council, including the purchase of 156 LCH Prachand helicopters and upgrades for 84 Su-30MKI fighters. Inducted into service in 2016, Tejas is currently flown by two IAF squadrons. With the new order, the Mark 1A variant is set to form the backbone of the IAF's fighter fleet in the years ahead. Deliveries from the earlier order of 83 jets, worth Rs 36,468 crore, are scheduled to start from February 2024, adding to HAL's production pipeline. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...


New Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
APSRTC includes Tirumala hill route in Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women
VIJAYAWADA: In a major reversal, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has now included the Tirumala hill route in its 'Stree Shakti' free bus travel scheme for women. This decision comes after a previous policy excluded the route, citing safety concerns on the ghat road where only seated passengers are permitted. The earlier exclusion had drawn criticism, as a one-way ticket to Tirumala costs Rs 90, with a round-trip costing Rs 160. The new announcement is expected to benefit thousands of female pilgrims. APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao made the announcement on Tuesday during an inspection of bus stands in Avanigadda and Challapalli. He was accompanied by MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad. He also inspected the Machilipatnam bus stand with Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra. The chairman noted the scheme's overwhelming success, stating that about 43 lakh women have already used the free travel service. He added that the scheme benefits women going to hospitals, temples, and those working odd jobs, saving them an estimated Rs. 6.30 crore per day. For pilgrims travelling to Tirumala, the APSRTC runs frequent 'Saptagiri Express' services from various stations in Tirupati, including the Railway Station, RTC Bus Station, Sri Padmavathi Bus Station, and Balaji Link Bus Station. Services run from 3:30 am to 11:30 pm, with a bus available every ten minutes.


New Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
AAP alleges corruption in Tiranga campaign; BJP dismisses charge
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday alleged that the BJP government in Delhi committed a 'Tiranga scam' by supplying substandard national flags under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, while the BJP dismissed the charge as a lie. AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed that under CM Rekha Gupta's government, Rs 4 crore was allocated to distribute 7 lakh flags ahead of Independence Day, but the flags delivered were smaller than the tender-mandated size. He alleged that instead of 900 mm x 1350 mm flags with six-foot poles, the supplied flags measured 711 mm x 508 mm with four-foot poles. Singh further charged that the tender was opened on August 16, a day after Independence Day, even though the flags were meant to reach households before August 15. 'Shockingly, the company delivered Rs 15 flags in place of the approved Rs 60 flags even before the tender process began,' he said. Calling the controversy 'a scam on the Tiranga itself,' Singh added, 'The BJP, which beats the drum of nationalism every day, has cheated the nation in the name of the Tricolour.' He said the alleged fraud dishonoured the memory of India's freedom fighters. AAP leader Manish Sisodia also targeted the BJP on X, writing, 'Politics on the Tiranga, business on the Tiranga, and now a scam on the Tiranga. Such scamsters deserve sedition charges.'