Is Aadhaar Card Mandatory for Free Bus Travel?
A free bus travel scheme has been launched in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has introduced this initiative under the name Stree Shakti, which allows women to travel by bus without any charge. However, women who wish to benefit from this scheme should be aware of certain important details and may have a few questions. Let us address these.
A similar free bus scheme is already running in Telangana, and now Andhra Pradesh has followed the same path. To travel without paying, women must show one of the following valid IDs: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card.
It is important to note that only the original Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card will be accepted for free travel. Photocopies or Aadhaar images on mobile phones are not valid, as photocopies can be tampered with and digital images are not considered reliable. Therefore, women must carry the physical original Aadhaar card.
Also, downloading a digital Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website onto a smartphone may not always be practical due to server congestion, internet issues, or the requirement of a one-time password (OTP) linked to the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar. Hence, carrying the original Aadhaar card is essential for free travel.
Women should also make sure that the address on their Aadhaar card is registered in Andhra Pradesh; those with a Telangana address will have to buy a ticket. It is equally important that the photograph on the Aadhaar card is current, as significant differences in appearance may cause problems.
In summary, to avail free bus travel in Andhra Pradesh, women must carry the original Aadhaar card with a correct Andhra Pradesh address and an updated photograph.
