Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday launched the Divyang Shakti scheme in Amaravati, offering free bus travel for people with disabilities. The initiative, introduced as a Ugadi gift, aims to ensure affordable travel, ease of movement and dignity for differently abled citizens.

Free travel for differently-abled citizens

In a significant gesture, Naidu travelled with beneficiaries on Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses from Mangalagiri to Penumaka village, covering a distance of 11 km. The scheme is expected to benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals, including 11.16 lakh people with disabilities and their attendants. Persons with more than 40% disability across 21 categories will be eligible for free bus travel, while their attendants will receive a 50% fare concession. The state government will spend ₹207 crore to implement the scheme through APSRTC.

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Scheme launched across the state

The scheme was rolled out across Andhra Pradesh, with MLAs travelling with beneficiaries in their respective constituencies and participating in outreach activities.

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Divyang Shakti follows the Stree Shakti scheme, under which women in the state have completed over 52 crore free bus journeys, supported by a government expenditure exceeding ₹1,826 crore. Divyang Shakti is among the largest travel support initiatives in India, aimed at enabling people with disabilities to move freely and with dignity.