SRINAGAR: In a landmark step towards gender-inclusive mobility, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative, providing free bus services for women across Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative, flagged off from the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), fulfils a key budget promise aimed at enhancing accessibility and safety for women commuters.
The scheme grants free travel to women on all Smart City e-buses and Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses throughout the Union Territory. Ahead of the official launch, the Chief Minister also inaugurated free ridership for schoolgirls, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and affordable transportation for young students.
Speaking at the event, Omar Abdullah emphasised that the initiative is not just a welfare measure but a transformative step towards women’s empowerment and inclusive development. He reiterated that the programme aims to make public transport more accessible while fostering an environment where women can travel freely and safely.
“From today, women across Jammu and Kashmir will be able to travel at no cost in all Smart City and SRTC buses. This move goes beyond affordability—it is about accessibility, safety, and creating opportunities where women are not held back due to mobility constraints. Our vision is to make Jammu and Kashmir a model of inclusive growth,” he said.
The initiative was first announced on March 7 during the Chief Minister’s Budget Speech as part of a broader set of pro-women and pro-poor policies. Omar Abdullah reaffirmed that the scheme is designed to ease travel for women, whether for education, work, shopping, or leisure, ensuring a safe and supportive commuting experience across the region.
The launch event was attended by senior government officials, including Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo, Minister for Transport Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, and MLA Zadibal Tanveer Sadiq, alongside senior bureaucrats overseeing transport and urban development.
In Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary launched a free bus service for women in Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative, covering both electric and JKRTC buses, aims to provide safe, accessible, and cost-free travel for working professionals, students, and daily commuters.
Flagging off the service in Jammu, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to fulfilling key promises, including restoring statehood, protecting jobs and land, and now, ensuring free transport for women. He emphasised that the initiative not only eases financial burdens but also promotes women’s empowerment by enhancing their mobility.
During the launch, he interacted with women passengers, reaffirming the administration’s resolve to address public concerns. He described the scheme as a crucial step towards making public spaces safer and more inclusive for women. To avail the service, women need only present their Aadhaar cards when boarding government-operated buses. JKRTC has equipped conductors with POS machines to streamline passenger registration.
The initiative is expected to set a benchmark for women-centric policies in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering greater independence and social inclusion for women across the region.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, has expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the commendable initiative of launching free ridership for women in Smart City e-Buses and JKRTC buses.
Recognising this initiative as a significant step towards women’s empowerment and social welfare, the only woman Minister in Omar’s Council of Ministers stated that the move would greatly benefit diverse womenfolk, particularly college and university-going students, working women, as well as economically weaker sections. She lauded the Chief Minister’s commitment towards ensuring safe, affordable and accessible public transportation for women, which aligns with the vision of fostering gender-inclusive growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This commendable initiative reflects our Government’s dedication towards providing essential facilities to women. Free transportation will not only ease daily commute but also encourage greater participation of women in education as well as the working sector”, Sakeena said. She emphasized that such progressive measures are crucial for creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
She further said that the present Omar Abdullah-led Government is committed to uplifting the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that similar welfare measures will continue to be introduced for the benefit of the common masses.
