Mahalakshmi Smart Cards to Replace Aadhaar for Free Bus Travel in Hyderabad
TSRTC plans chip based Mahalakshmi smart cards to verify eligibility curb misuse and replace Aadhaar checks ensuring free bus travel for women across Greater Hyderabad starting with ration card data.
- Smart cards will replace Aadhaar checks for free bus travel.
- Ration card data will be used to identify eligible women.
- The system aims to stop misuse and ensure transparency.
Hyderabad is set to see a major change in the way women access free bus travel under the Mahalakshmi scheme. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation is preparing to introduce Mahalakshmi smart cards to ensure that benefits reach only eligible women and to stop misuse of the scheme.
The new system is being planned after officials noticed a rise in suspicious travel using fake Aadhaar cards and repeated use by ineligible passengers. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of such trips every month, adding pressure on public finances and affecting genuine beneficiaries.
Under the proposed model, smart cards will be issued using Civil Supplies department data as the primary reference. In the first phase, women holding white ration cards will be prioritised, with around five lakh beneficiaries expected to receive the cards initially.
These chip based cards will store basic beneficiary details such as name address and a unique identification number. Conductors will no longer need to manually verify Aadhaar cards. Instead, the smart card will be swiped on the ticket issuing machine and a ticket will be generated instantly, making the process quicker and more transparent.
Greater Hyderabad currently operates thousands of bus services, with nearly two lakh women using free travel every day. With passenger occupancy touching high levels, officials believe the smart card system will help regulate demand while protecting the scheme for deserving women.
Authorities say detailed guidelines on registration card distribution and rollout timelines will be announced soon. The move is expected to strengthen the Mahalakshmi scheme and improve accountability without causing inconvenience to regular commuters.
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