BENGALURU: With the first of the Congress guarantees — free bus travel for women — set to be implemented from June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all set to roll out the scheme in a novel fashion.
On Sunday, the CM himself will pose as a conductor on BMTC Route No. 43, which runs from Majestic, and issue tickets for free travel to women. Later, he will formally launch the Shakti scheme at a programme at the Vidhana Soudha.
At the same time, his Cabinet ministers will launch the scheme, which is being keenly watched across the country, in all the districts. At the district headquarters, the scheme will be launched with two buses initially and in one bus at the taluk centres. All the women passengers will be welcomed with roses and necessary instructions have already been issued to the respective road transport corporations.
The BMTC’s Route No. 43 plies to Hosakerehalli through Maharani College, KR Circle, Corporation Circle, NR Colony. The buses on Route Nos. 43D, 43E, 43J start from Platform 8, but do not touch Vidhana Soudha, but on Sunday, the BMTC is likely to make arrangements for the buses to ply through Vidhana Soudha to mark the launch of the scheme.