Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 — The Kerala government announced this Thursday that all cancer patients can travel for free on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, up to the Super‑Fast category. The Transport Minister, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, told the Assembly that the scheme would start immediately and that the KSRTC Director Board would approve it the same day.
The move comes as Kerala faces a high burden of cancer. A 2024 state Economic Review highlighted that cancers are a top non‑communicable disease in Kerala and that male cancer deaths exceed the national average. With local body elections looming this month and state assembly elections slated for April/May next year, the announcement adds a flagship welfare measure to the electoral calendar.
The free‑travel scheme also helps patients who must visit private hospitals for treatment, easing the cost barrier to care. Minister Kumar dismissed opposition protests, calling the opposition’s “shame” remarks “unimportant” compared to the relief the scheme brings to patients and families.
KSRTC has shown strong operational performance in recent weeks. On Oct 6, the bus corporation earned ₹9.41 crore in ticket revenue, its second‑highest daily collection ever. The best‑ever daily haul, ₹10.19 crore, was posted on Sep 8, 2025. By combining social responsibility with financial stability, KSRTC positions itself as both a welfare provider and a resilient public utility.
Kerala currently has the highest crude cancer incidence in India, with an estimated 88,460 new cases each year. By 2030, new cases are projected to reach about 90,000. Breast cancer tops the list for women, while lung cancer is most common among men.
Sources: (via Associated Press)
Source: ianslive
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