Amaravati: The ‘Stree Shakti’ free bus travel scheme for women in Andhra Pradesh is now being credited with an unexpected but significant outcome — a noticeable reduction in road accidents and fatalities. Officials say that increased travel in APSRTC buses has led to fewer people using private vehicles, thereby improving overall road safety.
According to a recent study conducted by Prakasam district police, road accident deaths in the district have come down by nearly 10 percent compared to previous years. More notably, when data from six months before and after the implementation of the Stree Shakti scheme was compared, fatalities dropped by 19 percent. The number of people injured in road accidents has also seen a considerable decline.
District Superintendent of Police Harshavardhan Raju presented these findings during a review meeting and brought the matter to the attention of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. After reviewing the data, the Chief Minister directed officials to conduct a similar study across the state to assess whether the trend is consistent in other districts as well.
Officials believe that the reduction in road accidents is directly linked to the increase in women opting for free travel in APSRTC buses instead of using two-wheelers or other private modes of transport. With more passengers shifting to public transport, the number of private vehicles on roads has reduced, leading to fewer chances of fatal accidents.
The Stree Shakti scheme, introduced to provide free bus travel for women, was primarily aimed at empowering women and improving mobility. However, authorities now say it has added a new dimension by enhancing road safety. The government views this as a dual benefit policy — supporting women’s economic and social mobility while also preventing loss of lives on roads.
According to APSRTC estimates, nearly 48.70 crore journeys have been made under the Stree Shakti scheme so far across Andhra Pradesh. Officials say the large-scale usage of public transport is a strong indicator of behavioral change among commuters, which may be contributing to the steady decline in accident-related deaths and injuries.
The government is expected to analyze statewide data in the coming months to determine the broader impact of the scheme on road safety indicators. If similar patterns are observed across districts, the Stree Shakti initiative could be positioned not only as a welfare measure but also as a major road safety intervention in Andhra Pradesh.
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