Mahalakshmi Smart Cards To Be Launched On June 2

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will launch the Mahalakshmi Smart Cards on June 2, coinciding with Telangana Formation Day, to modernise free bus travel for women in TGSRTC buses. 

The scheme will first roll out on a pilot basis in one mandal per district. Officials said it will be extended statewide only after technical glitches and operational challenges



identified during the pilot phase are resolved.

The Mahalakshmi zero-ticket scheme was introduced on December 9, 2023, allowing women to travel free in RTC buses by showing their Aadhaar card. However, manual verification of Aadhaar details by conductors during each trip proved time-consuming. The new smart card system aims to streamline the process and improve transparency.