New Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal on Monday congratulated the women of Kerala after the state government rolled out a free bus travel scheme for them, saying it was encouraging to see welfare initiatives pioneered in Delhi and Punjab being adopted elsewhere.

"Congratulations to the women of Kerala. It is heartening to see our work in Delhi and Punjab inspiring other state governments to launch such impactful welfare schemes," Kejriwal said in a post on X.

Recalling the introduction of free bus travel for women in Delhi, the former Delhi chief minister said such programmes have the potential to transform lives by removing financial barriers to mobility.

He said the initiative enables women to seek employment opportunities without worrying about commuting costs and allows female students to pursue education without the burden of travel expenses.

Fulfilling a key election promise, the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala launched the scheme on Monday.

At the inauguration ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan described the initiative as a "decisive step" towards building a new Kerala.

Satheesan said the free bus travel programme was a tribute to the women of the state and also conveyed a broader social message about respecting and empowering women.

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The scheme is expected to benefit thousands of women commuters across Kerala by improving access to education, employment and public services while reducing the financial burden of daily travel.