The ‘Shakti’ scheme, a pre-poll freebie announced by Congress offering free bus travel for women within the state, has witnessed a dramatic increase in women passengers. However, this surge has inadvertently created challenges for daily commuters, including school and college students.
The overcrowding issue reached a tipping point when a college student fell ill due to the overwhelming rush, prompting a protest by students who demanded improved transportation services in the area.
On a bustling Monday June 26 morning, a group of college students embarked on a bus journey from Vastari Village to Jewargi in myKalaburagi, aiming to reach their college. To their dismay, the bus was already crammed with passengers, leaving little room to manoeuvre. In the midst of the overcrowding, a few students were pushed and jostled, resulting in one student losing her consciousness.
Incensed by the incident and the persisting problem of insufficient transportation options, the students took matters into their own hands. They made the decision to halt the bus and staged a peaceful protest in front of it near Kummanasirasagi Village. Their primary demand was for an increase in the number of buses servicing their route, addressing the pressing need for adequate transportation facilities.
Notably, the majority of the affected students were first-year Pre-University students attending a government college in Jewargi. The situation serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role transportation plays in facilitating access to education for students, whose academic pursuits should not be hindered by overcrowded buses and logistical challenges.
Since its launch on June 11, the ‘Shakti’ scheme has seen an overwhelming response, with over 7,64,40,000 women availing its benefits by June 25. The sheer volume of women utilising the free bus travel initiative underscores the pressing need for measures to accommodate the increased demand, ensuring a smooth and comfortable commuting experience for all passengers.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, addressing the mounting concerns, stated last week that the initial rush would subside in the coming days as the enthusiasm surrounding the free bus scheme stabilised. He however, was arrogant enough to ask the women to plan their trips properly instead of assuring more buses to the fleet to cope up with the demand.
Not to mention that the Transport Minister also expected the number of women passengers to decrease over time. Thereby making it evident that the unsustainable freebie was not implemented to be accessible on the long run.
The recent incident involving the sickened student and subsequent student protest highlights the urgency of addressing the issue promptly and effectively.
It is now imperative for the government and transportation authorities to collaborate and devise strategies to alleviate the overcrowding problem. This could involve introducing additional buses, adjusting bus schedules, and optimising route planning to accommodate the growing number of passengers effectively.
At this point, the Congress-led Government must consider adding more buses to the fleet in a bid to balance the interests of women passengers benefiting from the ‘Shakti’ scheme with the transportation needs of other commuters, especially students who rely on bus services.