The Delhi Transport Department has announced September 17 as the last day for women commuters to avail of free travel on DTC and cluster buses using the ‘pink tickets’ system. After this, the scheme will not be extended, an official said.

Delhi women will need a Pink Saheli National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) from September 18 onward to travel for free while non-resident women will have to pay for tickets.

The NCMC cards were launched on March 2 to enable paperless, free travel for women in Delhi, replacing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s ‘pink tickets’ scheme. 

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has alleged that the AAP-era scheme has been “marred by corruption and that the panic buttons were installed just for show”.

‘Great enthusiasm’

“Women of Delhi have shown tremendous enthusiasm for the Pink Saheli Smart Card. Around 19 lakh women have already applied or registered for the card,” said Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.

The government has also reduced the number of distribution centres where these cards could be issued from 73 to 38. The number had been increased from 50 at the time of the scheme’s launch to 73. 

Upcoming festivals

The deadline falls during the period marked by several festivals, including Janmashtami, Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi, when women travel for religious, cultural and social events.