On March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a landmark initiative to empower women across the region. From today 1 April 2025, all women will be entitled to free travel on all government-operated transportation, including buses and e-buses.The initiative, announcement, ensures free travel for women in all Smart City e-buses and J&K Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses across the Union Territory.
This initiative aims to enhance women’s mobility, providing them with greater access to education, employment, and healthcare opportunities. By alleviating transportation costs, the government seeks to reduce the financial burden on women, thereby promoting gender equality and supporting their active participation in various societal roles. The announcement was made during the presentation of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory’s maiden budget, underscoring the administration’s commitment to women’s welfare.
The free travel scheme is expected to benefit a significant number of women, including students, working professionals, and homemakers who rely on public transportation for their daily commutes. While the initiative has been widely welcomed, authorities acknowledge that it may impact the revenue of government-run transport services. However, measures are reportedly in place to address any financial shortfalls resulting from the scheme.
Overall, this policy represents a progressive step towards ensuring that women in Jammu and Kashmir have the freedom and resources to pursue opportunities without the constraint of transportation costs.
