Delhi government announces a free travel scheme for women in Delhi public buses, w.e.f. from today, with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia stated that the step will ensure the safety of women and would increase their role in the national capital’s economy.
According to the scheme, the DTC bus conductors will be providing pink tickets at Rs 10 to women for free travel. The government will then reimburse the amount based on the number of tickets issued. The government issued a notification for the implementation of the free-ride scheme from today, on Monday night.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot posted an official statement on Twitter calling it the “historic day for Delhi”. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal retweeted the post, adding that it was a “historic step for women safety and empowerment”.
A ‘Bhai Dooj’ token for women
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, during his Independence Day speech, said that free-ride for women in both BTC and cluster buses would commence from 29th October, which is ‘Bhai Dooj’.
Currently, around 5,500 DTC and cluster buses are commuting around Delhi, carrying over 45 lakh passengers each day. The free pink ticket travel scheme will also be available in Noida-NCR, airport, and other specialized services operated by the DTC and cluster scheme operators.
According to reports, women employees of the Delhi government opting for free transport would have to give up their transport allowance.
In August, The Delhi Assembly approved a grant of Rs140 crore to implement free bus transport for women along with the approval of Rs150 crore for a similar plan in the metro trains. However, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is yet to take it forward.
