Ama Subahak Drives Women’s Empowerment in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Ama Subahak scheme continues to empower women drivers, with Bhanupriya Behera becoming the seventh beneficiary to receive her own car.

Trained at the Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) in Chhatia in 2019, Behera has now stepped into entrepreneurship with government support.

The ceremonial handover took place at Kharavela Bhawan, attended by senior Commerce & Transport Department officials.

Under the scheme, women drivers receive collateral‑free loans up to Rs 10 lakh, with the government covering the down payment (10% of the car’s ex‑showroom price), bearing the interest burden, and acting as guarantor.

So far, seven women have become car owners under Ama Subahak.

The state has earmarked Rs 46.66 crore to support 1,100 women drivers over the next four years.

Priority beneficiaries include OSRTC and CRUT drivers, Self-Help Group members, and Subhadra Yojana participants.

Officials emphasised that the initiative is not just about vehicles, but about transforming women’s economic participation — moving them from “training seats to driver’s seats.”