Bengaluru (PTI): A study by Azim Premji University has found that Karnataka's Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women, has significantly transformed women's mobility in Bengaluru.
The report—Gender, Welfare, and Mobility: Impact of Shakti Scheme on BMTC Transport Transformation—authored by economists Tamoghna Halder and Arjun Jayadev from the university's Centre for the Study of the Indian Economy, notes that the scheme has reshaped "the gendered patterns of access to the city", according to a press release issued on Thursday.
Launched on June 11, 2023, the Shakti scheme was among the pre-poll guarantees of the ruling Congress government and was implemented within a month of it coming to power. The initiative provides free travel for women across Karnataka in non-luxury government-run buses.
Women now form the majority of passengers on several of Bengaluru's busiest routes, including those passing through the Central Business District (CBD).
Analysing 2.89 crore trips made on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation capacity-operated buses between January 2023 and January 2025, the study found that women's ridership increased 2.5 times after the scheme's launch and has since stabilised at a new level where women outnumber men by an average ratio of 60:40.
This, the report states, marks a "structural shift in access to public transport."
While the Shakti subsidy marginally exceeds fare revenue from non-beneficiaries, the study observes that the "overall gap is narrow relative to the scale of the scheme."
In terms of geographical equity, uptake has been strongest in northern, western, and central Bengaluru. However, eastern peripheries and peri-urban, largely migrant neighbourhoods lag, possibly due to weaker BMTC coverage and the exclusion of migrant women from the scheme, it said.
The study also found a sharp rise in women riders along Metro feeder corridors. Following the Purple Line extension, some routes have shown a bus-to-metro shift, though Shakti users continue to prefer buses due to zero fares.
On social equity, the study notes, "There is no significant difference in women's ridership between the most and least SC-ST concentrated wards in Bengaluru, suggesting that access to the Shakti scheme is not contingent on the caste profile of a neighbourhood."
Route-specific analysis indicates that affordable bus services have expanded women's zones of commute to areas offering better socio-economic opportunities, including the CBD, thereby enhancing access to employment, education, and healthcare.
The authors identified three key policy priorities. "There is a need to expand BMTC in terms of fleet size, frequency, and integration with the metro to absorb demand, while improving last-mile connectivity to ensure universality," said Jayadev.
Halder added, "Extending benefits to migrant women, who remain excluded despite being among the city's most mobility-constrained groups, is key to fostering inclusive urban citizenship."
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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online.
Booked an Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Shashi Kumar (@iShashiShekhar) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.
One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”
Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
ये वाली कॉपी घूम रही है 👇 pic.twitter.com/DG7KkxuQxw
Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”
Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM ? #Lol
— Paritosh Vyas 🇮🇳 (@paritosh2608) March 13, 2026
Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?”
Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinder at 11.45 am and surprisingly it getting delivered in 2 hours.
— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) March 13, 2026
IT cell has some special gas agency.
is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?
pic.twitter.com/2T3NI3qjtk
One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.
Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too https://t.co/BUekztabvK pic.twitter.com/lRknSuQreI
— URScrewed 🇬🇧 (@URScrewed_) March 13, 2026
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 2 30 pm without any extra cash or charges.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. He replied Nope.
Then I woke up.
“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another.
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM.
— Essai Ennai (@SiniiMayo) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM.
One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”
What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM? pic.twitter.com/jZqEzNdCGo
— SMMH-SAB MOH MAYA HAI (@EliteCricket10) March 13, 2026
“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.
I want to ask one thing if...
— शाकाल (@real_shakaal) March 13, 2026
"I'll Book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11.45 AM and if Gas Agency will unable to deliver the LPG Cylinder at my doorstep by 1.30 PM tomorrow".
Will it be free like Dominos Pizza or i'll get it on some discounted price?
BJP IT Cell experts please… pic.twitter.com/UEBoBwVNNw
