PIL challenging free travel for women in KSRTC ordinary buses: High Court reserves matter for orders

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Women passengers amusement   their zero-fare tickets aboard a KSRTC autobus  connected  the motorboat  time  of the Kerala Government's Priyadarshini scheme, successful  Palakkad

Women passengers amusement their zero-fare tickets aboard a KSRTC autobus connected the motorboat time of the Kerala Government's Priyadarshini scheme, successful Palakkad | Photo Credit: K.K. Mustafah

While observing that the ‘Priyadarshini’ escaped question scheme successful KSRTC’s mean buses for women and transgender persons was a argumentation determination of the State Government that was aimed chiefly astatine working-class women, the Kerala High Court connected Thursday (June 18, 2026) reserved for orders a PIL that was filed challenging the question strategy that was launched connected June 15.

The petitioner, who submitted that helium is simply a predominant traveller connected KSRTC buses, contended that the strategy violated the close to equality and the close against discrimination, enshrined successful Article 14 and Article 15 (1) of the Indian Constitution.

He further contended that nary survey was conducted earlier rolling retired the strategy that is aimed astatine making disposable escaped question for women, irrespective of their income. Neither was a ministerial committee constituted to survey the matter.

Above all, the strategy would outgo the nationalist exchequer astir ₹800 crore each year, helium said.

Citing akin schemes that were successful vogue successful 8 different States, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the State Government submitted that specified a measurement was adopted to further the origin of women’s empowerment, successful keeping with the expectations from a payment State.

The strategy would, successful turn, assistance summation the mobility of women, particularly successful agrarian areas. The Government is empowered to instrumentality schemes that springiness preferential attraction for women, it added.

Published - June 18, 2026 04:32 p.m. IST

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