
Srinagar, April 01: Fulfilling a promise made during the Budget session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday announced the commencement of free rides for women in State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) and Smart Buses across Jammu and Kashmir.
“During the Budget session, we made it clear that SRTC and Smart Buses will offer free rides to women. Today, we have started the service to make travelling easier for them, hoping it contributes to their betterment and safety,” Omar Abdullah stated while interacting with the media.
He emphasized that the initiative is aimed at facilitating women’s mobility, whether for education, shopping, or leisure. “Whether they travel for educational purposes, shopping, or loitering, we hope this service benefits them,” he added.
Addressing concerns over potential revenue losses, the Chief Minister assured that the zero-fare tickets would not impact SRTC or Smart Buses financially. “We will compensate the losses from the Budget,” he clarified, adding that the service will be operational in all districts where these buses ply.(Agencies)