The Karnataka government has approved a ₹237 crore project to introduce personalized Shakti Smart Cards for beneficiaries of the state’s Shakti Scheme. The new smart card system is aimed at digitally verifying eligible passengers and making the reimbursement process easier for Karnataka’s four road transport corporations — KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC.
However, the official registration process for the Shakti Smart Card has not started yet. The expected registration facility, reportedly through the Seva Sindhu platform, is currently not operational. Passengers should therefore wait for an official announcement before applying.
Meanwhile, eligible women and transgender passengers who are domiciled in Karnataka can continue to use the Shakti Scheme without a smart card. They can travel free on eligible non-AC ordinary and express buses by showing a valid government-issued photo identity document, such as an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID. The bus conductor will issue a zero-value ticket for the journey.
The Karnataka Smart Card initiative should not be confused with Delhi’s Pink Saheli Smart Card, which has its own rules for free bus travel for women and resident transgender passengers on DTC and cluster buses.