KSRTC’s ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel plan faces protest heat as Men’s Association vows to block buses

A new government initiative offering free travel for women in ordinary buses has triggered a backlash from a men’s rights group, threatening to disrupt public transport on June 15.

The roll-out of the state’s ambitious ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme, aimed at providing free travel for women in KSRTC ordinary buses, has hit a roadblock before the first wheel has even turned. The All Kerala Men’s Association has declared it will stage a protest in front of the Secretariat on June 15—the same day the project officially launches—and has threatened to block the bus services in a show of defiance.

In a video statement shared on social media, the association’s president, Vattiyoorkavu Ajith Kumar, argued that the policy is discriminatory. The group contends that gender-based concessions ignore the economic realities of many men. Their argument is simple: if the government wants to subsidize travel, it should be based on financial need, such as an individual’s ration card status, rather than gender. They have vowed to board buses and refuse to purchase tickets as part of their protest.

The fiscal challenge

The ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme, part of the Indira Guarantee project, was unveiled by the Chief Minister following a cabinet meeting. The state government has committed to covering the revenue loss incurred by the KSRTC, which is projected to be between ₹65 crore and ₹70 crore per month. Annually, this translates to a staggering ₹750 to ₹800 crore burden on the exchequer, over and above the existing ₹1,500 crore annual grant provided by the state for salaries and pensions.

To manage this financial strain, the government has directed the KSRTC to boost its revenue over the next six months. Strategies to bridge this gap include increasing the number of active vehicles, optimizing service frequency, and aggressively expanding advertising revenue. Whether these measures can realistically offset the cost of such a massive social welfare project remains a point of contention for transport experts.

Why it matters

This friction highlights a growing tension in public policy: the struggle to balance populist welfare schemes with the fragile fiscal health of state-run corporations. While the primary objective is to provide a social safety net, the optics of the protest raise questions about the evolving discourse on gender-neutral welfare. By framing their opposition around economic equity rather than just ideology, the protesters are tapping into a broader sentiment regarding the rising cost of living and the perceived inequities in government subsidies.

For the state, the success of the ‘Priyadarshini’ project will depend not just on its implementation on June 15, but on its ability to maintain operational stability while facing both public criticism and the daunting task of keeping the KSRTC financially afloat. The government maintains that as the corporation's economic situation improves, it will consider expanding the scheme to a second phase, though the immediate focus remains on navigating this complex rollout.