Women Lead the Way in Public Mobility: Over 57% Female Ridership on Odisha Yatri Platform

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable testament to the growing trust in Odisha’s evolving public transport infrastructure, recent data shows that more than 57% of users on the Odisha Yatri platform between October 2024 and July 2025 were women. Of the 2.57 lakh commuters who availed services through the app during this period, over 1.48 lakh were women — a clear signal of enhanced accessibility, safety, and gender inclusion in the state’s mobility framework.

Launched by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi in January 2025, the Odisha Yatri app had already begun pilot operations in October 2024. The platform has quickly gained popularity, with a month-on-month increase in female ridership, peaking at 61.63% in January 2025. Even in the latest figures from July 2025, women comprised 55.38% of total users — consistently outnumbering male passengers.

Officials attribute this growing preference among women to several confidence-boosting features integrated into the app, including real-time trip tracking, verified drivers, last-mile connectivity enhancements, and an efficient grievance redressal system. The app’s seamless coordination with enforcement and transport authorities has created a secure and accountable commuting experience, particularly beneficial for women and vulnerable groups.

A spokesperson from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department noted, “The data speaks for itself — women are not just participating; they are leading the adoption of Odisha Yatri. This reflects the government’s strong commitment to gender-responsive, inclusive transport. Odisha Yatri is envisioned as a ‘Mobility as A Service’ (MaaS) platform that addresses first- and last-mile connectivity challenges for urban mobility.”

Furthering its people-first approach, the Odisha Yatri platform, in collaboration with the State Transport Authority, provided free auto rides to over 30,000 pilgrims during this year’s Puri Ratha Yatra, easing the movement of devotees during one of the state’s largest religious gatherings.

Building on this momentum, the state government is now planning to expand Odisha Yatri to more urban centers across Odisha. Additionally, the platform is set to introduce new services such as ambulance rides and inland water transport options, aiming to make mobility safer, smarter, and more inclusive for all citizens.

As Odisha positions itself as a leader in tech-enabled, citizen-centric mobility solutions, the surge in female ridership not only reflects growing trust in public transport but also marks a significant stride toward inclusive urban development.