Chandigarh, Feb 4: Women in Punjab will soon utilize multi-purpose smart cards instead of Aadhaar cards to access free travel on state transport buses. The state government plans to link this facility with the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana smart cards to better manage the rising costs of the program, which currently serves beneficiaries traveling an average of 42 km daily.
The initiative aims to address the fiscal gap faced by Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punjab Roadways. Government data indicates the scheme’s cost has nearly doubled its initial allocation, reaching Rs 800 crore annually. By shifting to smart cards, the transport department hopes to gather precise usage data and improve fiscal monitoring.
Officials mentioned that the specialized hand-held scanners required for the transition are already in the procurement phase. The survey of eligible women is being spearheaded by the Health Department, which is the lead agency for producing the integrated cards.
“Tenders to purchase hand-held devices to read smart cards was being floated by the state transport department,” a government functionary noted while explaining the technical requirements.
Although the core policy of providing free travel remains unchanged, the state intends to use the digital transition to target services more effectively. The Social Security and Women and Child Development Department will continue to release funds based on the claims generated through this new, data-driven system once it is fully operational.
