Shakti scheme triggers surge in women pilgrims during Sharavana Masa in Karnataka

During the sacred month of Shravana Masa, which holds immense significance in Hindu tradition, a notable increase in female pilgrims has been observed across several districts in Karnataka. This surge is largely attributed to the Shakti scheme implemented by the state government, offering free travel to women visiting religious sites. As a result, state-owned buses in regions such as Yadgir and its neighboring areas have witnessed a substantial influx of female passengers seeking to partake in their spiritual journeys. The Shravana Masa, considered highly auspicious, has drawn thousands of female devotees who are traveling throughout Karnataka to visit prominent religious destinations. These include the Sri Vishwaradhya temple in Abbetumkur, the Sri Mailaralingeshwar temple in Mailapur within Yadgir district, and the Sri Sugureshwar temple located in Devsugur, known as Shaktinagar, in the adjacent Raichur district. Notably, the Sri Mailaralingeshwar temple has experienced a marked increase in visitors, with many coming from various parts of northern Karnataka, including Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Belagavi. Female pilgrims often arrive the night prior to ensure they can participate in the early morning darshan before returning home. A woman devotee from Vijayapura shared her experience, stating, "We came here to seek the blessings of Sri Mailaralingeshwar with our family members, comprising five female members. Now, we are heading to Bidar to visit temples there." Such sentiments reflect the gratitude felt by these pilgrims towards the government's initiative, which has significantly reduced the cost of frequent spiritual trips through the provision of free travel. Despite the positive impact of the Shakti scheme, the sudden influx of female passengers has raised concerns among daily commuters and students. Reports indicate that male passengers and students face considerable challenges in securing seats on buses, even on regular days and holidays. One male passenger lamented, "It has become a nightmare for daily commuters and students. With buses running packed to capacity, getting a seat is virtually impossible." In response to these issues, female passengers have called upon the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to consider deploying additional buses during periods of high demand, such as Shravana Masa, to alleviate the congestion and improve overall transportation efficiency. Meanwhile, the issue of inadequate bus connectivity extends beyond the current surge in pilgrim traffic. According to recent data, 1,749 villages in Karnataka still lack State-run bus services. Out of these, 325 villages either lack suitable roads for bus operations or face challenges related to the movement of heavy vehicles, making it difficult to extend public transport connectivity to these areas. The four State-run transport corporations, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), are projected to collectively serve 32,977 villages across the state. However, as of now, transport facilities are accessible in only 31,228 villages, leaving 1,749 villages without State-run bus connectivity. Officials from the Transport Department have outlined plans for the 2026–27 financial year aimed at arranging new schedules and providing essential bus facilities to address this gap. Current efforts focus on procuring additional vehicles and recruiting necessary personnel to expand services gradually to villages lacking connectivity. Professor M.N. Srihari, a transport expert, emphasized the critical nature of improving rural transport infrastructure, highlighting how the absence of reliable public transport hinders socio-economic development. He noted that the lack of consistent bus connectivity not only limits access to education and healthcare but also restricts women's economic mobility, underscoring the necessity of expanding the rural bus fleet and ensuring adequate road conditions. Efforts continue to assess the specific needs of villages without public transport, aiming to introduce services in a phased manner. Continuous reviews are underway to determine which villages require immediate attention, with the ultimate goal of enhancing connectivity and addressing the urban-rural divide effectively.