Amaravati, March 18: The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a free bus travel scheme named ‘Divyang Shakti’ for differently abled individuals, making it one of the few states to offer such a facility.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the scheme, describing it as a significant step towards creating an inclusive and equitable society. Following the success of the free bus travel initiative for women, the government has now extended this facility to differently abled individuals.
After launching the scheme alongside Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh, the Chief Minister took a special bus ride from Mangalagiri to Penumaka with beneficiaries, receiving enthusiastic support from the public along the way.
During the journey, the Chief Minister and other leaders interacted with differently abled individuals, listening to their concerns and gathering feedback on government initiatives.
According to an official statement, this engagement provided direct insight into the commuting challenges faced by beneficiaries, emphasizing the need for accessible public transport. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring dignity, freedom, and equal opportunities for all.
The Chief Minister noted that the coalition government has undertaken several welfare initiatives over the past 21 months, expressing particular satisfaction with the launch of the ‘Divyang Shakti’ scheme.
He emphasized that differently abled individuals possess extraordinary talents and have the potential to overcome challenges and achieve success. He also mentioned the support provided under the ‘Cheyutha’ program, which included the distribution of tricycles and two-wheelers.
The Chief Minister claimed that his government is the only one providing a pension of 6,000 rupees to differently abled individuals, an increase from the previous amount of 500 rupees.
Following the journey, the Chief Minister hosted a special lunch for the beneficiaries, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh.
Under the ‘Divyang Shakti’ scheme, free travel will be available on APSRTC’s City Ordinary, Metro Express, Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, and Express bus services.
This initiative will benefit individuals with over 40% disability across 21 categories, with an estimated 12.76 lakh people (including caregivers) expected to gain from it.
The government has committed to spending 207 crore rupees annually for the effective implementation of this scheme.
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