Naidu Reviews ‘Stree Shakti’ Rollout, Stresses Safety, Cleanliness, and Passenger Comfort

Vijayawada, Aug 2025 – Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday reviewed final preparations for the Stree Shakti scheme, a flagship initiative offering free travel for all women in select APSRTC buses across Andhra Pradesh. Scheduled for launch on August 15, the scheme aims to provide safe, affordable, and convenient transport for women.

During a meeting with officials at the Secretariat, Naidu instructed departments to take proactive steps to ensure smooth implementation from day one. He emphasised effective crowd management, capacity enhancement, and strict security arrangements to manage the anticipated surge in ridership. The Chief Minister also urged APSRTC staff to be courteous, ensuring zero complaints from passengers.

Naidu directed that passenger feedback be collected regularly and used to fine-tune operations. He suggested engaging outsourcing agencies for certain services to improve efficiency. A robust grievance redressal system should be in place to promptly resolve issues, he said.

To enhance monitoring, the Chief Minister ordered GPS integration in e-PoS machines to track bus movement and provide real-time updates to passengers. He stressed the importance of maintaining bus stations in “spotless” condition, with garbage cleared frequently and toilets cleaned every two hours under continuous government supervision.

As part of the passenger amenities drive, Naidu instructed installation of RO water plants at all bus stations. He also set a December deadline for completing renovation and painting works worth ₹30 crore. New fans, chairs, and round-the-clock RTC staff should be in place to assist travellers.

“The Stree Shakti scheme is not just about free travel—it’s about safety, dignity, and comfort for women passengers,” Naidu said, calling on officials to ensure flawless execution of the programme.