Karnataka’s flagship ‘Shakti’ scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, has officially been certified by the London Book of World Records for achieving the highest number of free bus rides availed by women.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the historic achievement on Tuesday, stating that the scheme has facilitated an astounding 564.10 crore journeys for women domiciled in the state since its launch in June 2023.
The record-keeping body formally recognised the ‘Shakti’ scheme for the “Largest number of free bus rides availed by women,” solidifying the initiative’s place on the global stage.
In a post on ‘X’, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah celebrated the milestone, stating: “Karnataka enters the global stage with two historic world records certified by the London Book of World Records. Shakti Scheme: Largest number of free bus rides availed by women—564.10 crore journeys, empowering everyday mobility.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that the recognition reflects the state’s vision rooted in “social justice, women’s empowerment, and world-class public service.”
In a related achievement, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was also registered in the London Book of World Records as the “most award-winning road transport corporation in the world.” KSRTC has received 464 national and international honours since 1997.
The ‘Shakti’ scheme is one of the five major electoral guarantees implemented by the current state government and has been widely credited with increasing women’s participation in the workforce and improving their access to education and healthcare across Karnataka.
