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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
A.P. govt. issues order providing free bus travel for women in State from August 15
The Andhra Pradesh government on August 11, Monday, issued a Government Order, G.O. Ms. No. 27, for the implementation of free bus travel scheme for women from August 15 in five categories of the A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) across the State. The scheme, officially named 'Stree Shakti', will be available to all girls, women and transgender persons, whose domicile status is A.P. Beneficiaries have to produce valid identity proof. All eligible women will be given zero fare tickets, the expenditure of which would be later reimbursed by the government to the APSRTC based on the claim. The scheme would be launched with the existing fleet only, and additional buses would be procured and introduced depending on the requirement and response, according to the GO. The scheme will be implemented in services including Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express and Express services and is not applicable for non-stop services, inter-State services of any category, contract carriage services, chartered services and package tours. It is also not applicable for Saptagiri Express, Ultra Deluxe, Super Luxury, Star Liner and all AC buses. The extension of the scheme to electric buses is subject to the Cabinet approval, according to the G.O. With regard to ensuring safety of women passengers, the government is also contemplating supplying body-worn cameras to all women conductors and installing CC cameras on buses. The order, issued by the Transport Department Principal Secretary Kantilal Dande, directs the department Commissioner and APSRTC Managing Director to take further action towards the implementation of the scheme.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stakeholders want State as a unit, not district, for implementation of free bus ride for women in Andhra Pradesh
As the Government of Andhra Pradesh prepares to launch another Super Six scheme of free bus travel for women in the State on August 15, deliberations are in progress over the exact mode of implementation. While Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has indicated that the district will be considered as a unit for implementing the scheme, key stakeholders, including officials of the A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), have expressed concern over the feasibility of the model. According to sources in the Transport Department, implementation of the scheme at the district level may lead to operational difficulties, besides complications in route monitoring and enforcement of eligibility across inter-district services. A more unified State-wide implementation, the officials feel, will ensure smoother coordination and reduce the risk of misuse, or logistical bottlenecks. 'Restriction on travel within districts will lead to confusion for women who need to travel across district borders. A uniform policy at the State level will be more inclusive and manageable,' says a senior APSRTC official. 'A final call on the issue will be taken after the Chief Minister returns from Delhi,' says Transport Minister M. Ramprasad Reddy. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ramprasad Reddy said the government was in the process of procuring 2,000 new buses to augment the existing fleet and support the anticipated surge in passengers once the scheme was launched. 'While the buses may not arrive in time for the rollout, they will be inducted into the fleet in a phased manner,' the Minister said. Currently, women commuters comprise 35% of the Occupancy Ratio (OR) in the APSRTC buses as against 65% men. 'After rolling out the scheme, the number of women passengers may rise to 65% of the OR,' said the Minister. From a financial standpoint, the Minister said it would be an annual expenditure of ₹2,000 crore, which was significantly lower than other schemes under the government's Super Six promises. Mr. Ramprasad Reddy said the new buses would be operated under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, a framework where private operators supply and maintain buses, while the APSRTC would manage operations and collect revenue. Union fears loss of jobs However, the GCC model is being opposed by the A.P. Public Transport Department Employees' Unions, whihc fear losing jobs in the future. They have been insisting that the APSRTC operate and maintain the new buses proposed to be included in the fleet. 'Already, 25% of the buses in the fleet are being operated by private firms. This is a growing concern among the workers in the public transport organisation,' said union State president P. Damodar Rao. He said the existing 11,500 buses in the fleet and 46,000 staff were needed to be augmented before the launch of the scheme. 'The corporation already relies on over 5,000 on-call drivers for its day-to-day operations,' he said, indicating the extent of staff crunch.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Visitors flock Masula Beach Festival to experience a spectrum of fun
Minister for Mines, Geology and Excise Kollu Ravindra on Saturday said the government was keen on promoting Manginapudi beach in Machilipatnam as a premier tourist destination. Speaking at the ongoing Masula Beach Festival-2025, he said the visitors can engage in an array of activities designed to showcase the region's cultural and recreational significance. He said the event offered exciting adventure and sports activities like water sports and beach games such as beach volleyball, beach football, paragliding and heli-riding. Celebrating a rich cultural tapestry and culinary expedition, a series of cultural programmes are planned to keep the crowds entertained and a diverse range of food items from across the country have come under one roof, he said. Sharing his personal experience, the Minister said the beach appeared even more magnificent when paragliding. He, along with Andhra Pradesh Sports Authority chairman A. Ravi Naidu and A.P. State Road Transport Corporation chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao, visited the place and monitored the smooth conduct of events. Later, at the kayaking event, he congratulated Arjuna awardee and kayaking coach Jayant Kumar and distributed jerseys to the kayaking participants. He said kayaking would be an annual event on the beach, and very soon, national and international competitions would also be organised at this place. Mr. Ravi Naidu said organising regular sports events on the beach will enhance the reputation of the historically significant beach and groom local sports talent into national and international athletes. RTC chairman Narayana Rao said free bus services were available from Machilipatnam to Manginapudi beach and encouraged people to utilise this facility to become part of a joyful experience at the beach festival. On the inaugural day, Minister Tourism Kandula Durgesh said active efforts were being made to secure more funds from the Centre to initiate new tourism projects for the State and make it a tourist hub. Special Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism Ajay Jain, Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji and others were present at the inaugural. The four-day festival, which started on June 5, is drawing large crowds, and elaborate arrangements have been made for their safety. A combination of water sports like kayaking, parasailing and speed boat rides, along with cultural programmes and other activities, has significantly enhanced the excitement quotient in the vicinity. These attractions provide a variety of experiences, appealing to both adventure seekers and those interested in cultural events.
