Kolkata, 01 June (H.S.) : The West Bengal government on Monday rolled out its much-awaited scheme offering free travel for women on all state-run buses, fulfilling a key electoral promise. The initiative covers regular non-air-conditioned buses as well as air-conditioned and long-distance services operated by the state transport undertakings.

According to the Transport Department, nearly 600 government buses, including both AC and non-AC services, have been deployed across Kolkata and adjoining areas to handle the expected increase in passenger traffic on the first working day of the week. Officials have also been stationed at major bus terminals and key transit points to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme.

The state government has clarified that all women passengers in West Bengal will be eligible to avail themselves of the free travel facility. In the coming months, eligible beneficiaries will be issued digital smart cards carrying their name, photograph and a QR code. Applications for the cards will have to be submitted at the offices of the respective Block Development Officers (BDOs) or Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs).

However, officials said the process of issuing smart cards may take several months to complete. Until then, women passengers will be allowed to travel free upon producing any valid government-issued identity document. Accepted documents include Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, PAN cards, driving licences, passports, Ayushman Bharat cards, official employee identity cards, and identity cards issued by schools, colleges and universities.

As an interim measure, bus conductors will verify the identity documents and issue either a zero-value ticket or a thermal paper ticket to eligible women passengers until the smart card system becomes operational.

A senior Transport Department official acknowledged that some operational challenges could arise during the initial two to three days of implementation. However, he expressed confidence that both passengers and transport staff would quickly adapt to the new system.

The state government has maintained that the initiative will provide significant financial relief to millions of women commuters across West Bengal by reducing their daily transportation expenses.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh