kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The pride of Bengal just got a fresh sparkle as the state’s flagship transport initiative, Yatri Sathi, has been awarded the Best Excellence Award by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India. The honour includes a special trophy, highlighting how a Bengal-born digital service has set a national benchmark in safe, accessible and affordable urban transport. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared the news herself on X, offering warm congratulations to everyone involved and adding her signature message that has now become a motto in Bengal: “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.”

Yatri Sathi was born out of a very real need. For years, passengers across cities nationwide have been relying on app-based cabs alongside buses and taxis. But with private ride-hailing services came a basket of concerns. People frequently flagged overcharging, erratic behaviour from drivers and sudden ride cancellations. These issues weren’t unique to Kolkata; they surfaced across urban India. But in Bengal, the frustration was reaching a boiling point, with commuters increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction.

Sensing this growing distrust, the West Bengal government decided to step in with a cleaner, simpler and more transparent alternative designed for public welfare rather than profit. The result was Yatri Sathi, an app created and operated by the state’s Department of IT and Electronics. The mission was straightforward: offer safe travel options with fair pricing and reliable service. And the initiative truly took off. With easy booking features and budget-friendly fares, the app rapidly gained trust among daily commuters. Regular passengers say the system feels more grounded, more predictable and far less exploitative than many large private players.

The numbers alone tell the story. So far, Yatri Sathi has completed more than 1.42 crore rides. Over 1.3 lakh drivers are now registered under the service, earning their livelihood with dignity and stability. The reach has been massive, too. More than 45 lakh passengers across Kolkata and its surrounding areas have benefited from the service. Even more interestingly, several other states in India have reportedly begun modelling their systems after Bengal’s initiative, proving just how influential the app has become.

On Tuesday, in her post, Mamata Banerjee praised the project’s entire team for their dedication. She highlighted how Bengal has once again shown innovation in public service delivery, particularly in the area of urban mobility. For the state, the award is not just a trophy but a reassurance that people-centric digital governance can make a real impact when implemented thoughtfully.

The central government’s formal recognition also sends an important message about Bengal’s efficiency in transport innovation. By choosing Yatri Sathi as the best among several competing urban mobility solutions across India, MoHUA has effectively validated the model’s sustainability and its usefulness to ordinary citizens.

For Bengal, this achievement is more than administrative success. It is a moment of pride, a reminder that accessible transport is not a luxury but a right, and an example of what governance can accomplish when it prioritises people over corporates. And for the millions of passengers who depend on Yatri Sathi, the award simply shines a national spotlight on something they already knew: that the service has made everyday travel safer, cheaper and more reliable.