JAMMU: More than 1.66 crore women have availed free travel in government-operated buses across Jammu and Kashmir since April 1, 2025, with the financial implication of the scheme crossing Rs 47 crore, the government informed the Assembly during the ongoing budget discussions.
The disclosures were made in response to queries regarding the utilisation and fiscal impact of the free bus travel scheme for women, announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his maiden Budget for 2025–26.
According to figures placed before the House, between April 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026, as many as 34.95 lakh women beneficiaries travelled free of cost in buses operated by the Jammu & Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC). The financial implication on this account stands at Rs 19.96 crore.
In addition, Smart City buses operating in urban centres recorded 1,31,25,262 women beneficiaries during the same period, with an approximate financial implication of Rs 27.46 crore.
Taken together, the total number of women availing the facility across JKRTC and Smart City buses during the 10 months stands at 1,66,20,262, while the cumulative cost amounts to approximately Rs 47.42 crore.
The government informed the House that the entire fleet of diesel and electric buses operated by JKRTC is currently functioning under the Free Women Travel Scheme across Jammu and Kashmir. It was further disclosed that the total due amount on account of free ridership in JKRTC buses from April 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, is Rs 19.96 crore, and no funds have been released so far towards this component.
The free travel initiative was announced in the 2025–26 Budget and formally launched on April 1, 2025. The scheme entitles all women in Jammu and Kashmir to zero-ticket travel on government-operated public transport, including JKRTC buses and Smart City e-buses. It was introduced as a welfare and women-centric mobility measure aimed at improving access to education, employment and essential services by removing fare-related barriers.
The government had earlier stated that transport operators would be compensated for the revenue foregone under the policy. The latest figures indicate substantial uptake of the scheme within its first year of operation, alongside a growing financial commitment linked to its implementation.
