(Image source from: india.postsen.com)

Telangana's free bus scheme for women turns Challenging:- The Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme implemented by the Telangana government has garnered significant attention, particularly among women who comprise approximately 70% of the riders. Despite the positive reception, challenges have emerged, as some women have been observed abusing the privilege of free travel. Incidents of seat disputes have escalated into physical altercations, such as the incident in Bhadrachalam where two women engaged in hair-pulling. The buses have become increasingly crowded, leading to men who have paid for tickets being left standing while women occupy their seats.

In response, some men are urging the government to address this issue by providing designated seats or increasing the number of buses. Within the past 11 days, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has reported that approximately 30 million women passengers have utilized the bus, out of the daily total of 5.1 million passengers. This accounts for 62% of the overall passengers. Since the introduction of the Mahalakshmi Scheme and the implementation of fare-free tickets, the occupancy rate has surged from 69% to 88%, with several depots even recording over 100% occupancy.