Overview
- Scheme Launch: Odisha Government approves ‘Ama Subahaka Yojana’ to train and empower 1,100 women as professional taxi drivers and transport entrepreneurs over four years.
- Financial Aid: Eligible women can secure up to ₹10 lakh bank loans for car purchases, with the state covering 11% annual interest over five years.
- Phased Rollout: Targets 200 women in Year 1, 250 in Year 2, 300 in Year 3, and 350 in Year 4, prioritizing financial independence and green mobility.
- EV Incentive: Women choosing electric vehicles (EVs) receive an extra ₹2 lakh subsidy to promote sustainable transport.
- Eligibility Criteria: Open to women aged 21–40; 6,216 have already completed driving training at four state institutes.
- Empowerment Focus: Initiative aims to boost self-reliance, create sustainable livelihoods, and integrate women into the transport sector.
- Government Backing: Announced by Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, the scheme underscores Odisha’s commitment to women’s economic participation.
Odisha Govt Rolls Out ‘Ama Subahaka Yojana’ to Fuel Women’s Empowerment in Transport
Bhubaneswar, October 16, 2025 – In a transformative step toward gender equality and economic self-reliance, the Odisha government is launching the ‘Ama Subahaka Yojana‘, a pioneering scheme designed to turn women into professional taxi drivers and budding entrepreneurs in the transport sector. Approved by the state cabinet, the initiative will support 1,100 women over four years with subsidized loans for vehicle purchases, aiming to dismantle barriers and create lasting opportunities in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena announced the scheme’s green light, emphasizing its role in harnessing women’s skills for financial independence. “This program will not only provide jobs but also foster entrepreneurship, enabling women to steer their own futures,” Jena stated.
Financial Support and Loan Details
At the heart of the scheme is accessible financing: eligible women can avail bank loans up to ₹10 lakh to purchase cars for taxi operations, repayable over five years. The state government will fully subsidize the interest, pegged at 11% per annum, easing the financial burden and making vehicle ownership viable. This interest waiver alone could save beneficiaries thousands annually, allowing focus on business growth rather than debt servicing.
Phased Implementation for Steady Impact
The rollout is structured in phases to ensure smooth execution and skill-matching: 200 women in the first year, scaling to 250 in the second, 300 in the third, and 350 in the fourth. This gradual approach allows for robust training, monitoring, and scaling, drawing from the success of existing driving programs. To date, 6,216 women have completed training at four Driving Training and Research Institutes (DTRIs) across Odisha, forming a ready talent pool for the scheme.
Green Push with EV Incentives
Promoting eco-friendly transport, the scheme offers an additional ₹2 lakh incentive for women opting for electric vehicles (EVs). This bonus not only lowers upfront costs but aligns with Odisha’s sustainability goals, potentially reducing urban emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. As EV adoption rises nationally, this nudge could position Odisha as a leader in green mobility for women-led initiatives.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility and Training
Targeted at women aged 21 to 40, the scheme prioritizes those with basic driving skills, building on the DTRIs’ comprehensive curriculum that includes road safety, customer service, and basic vehicle maintenance. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and entrepreneurial intent, ensuring the program reaches underserved communities. The government plans to partner with banks and NGOs for streamlined applications and post-loan support, including business mentoring.
Broader Impact on Women’s Empowerment
‘Ama Subahaka Yojana’ addresses multiple facets of empowerment: economic independence through steady income, skill enhancement via training, and social inclusion by challenging gender norms in transport. In a state where women’s workforce participation hovers around 25%, this could inspire similar models elsewhere, contributing to India’s target of 50% female labor force engagement by 2030. By fostering entrepreneurship, the scheme also stimulates local economies, from vehicle maintenance to app-based ride-hailing integrations.
As Odisha pioneers this women-centric transport revolution, ‘Ama Subahaka Yojana’ promises not just jobs, but a drive toward a more equitable future on the roads.
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