K'taka to issue 1 cr Shakti smart cards for free travel to women, to spend ₹250 cr

Karnataka will distribute free smart cards to one crore women under the first phase of its Shakti scheme. State Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the first phase will cost about ₹250 crore, with the state government expected to contribute ₹150 crore. The scheme allows women domiciled in Karnataka to travel free on eligible state-run buses with a valid local ID.