New Delhi. The Delhi government has taken a major administrative decision regarding the facility of free travel for women in the capital’s DTC and cluster buses. The government has extended the deadline for the ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’ to the 16th of this month. Under the revised decision, the traditional ‘Pink Ticket’ (paper pass) has been allowed to continue in buses until August 15th, so that women passengers do not face any kind of inconvenience during this transition period.
Aiming for a smooth transition to digital systems
Announcing this decision, Delhi Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh said that this decision was taken with the aim of smoothly transitioning to a smart card-based digital system. The government’s primary focus is to ensure that no eligible female passenger is deprived of their travel rights due to technological changes. To this end, the Transport Minister has directed all concerned officials, depot managers, regional managers, and bus conductors to intensify public awareness campaigns at the ground level and assist female passengers in obtaining their ‘Pink Saheli Smart Cards’ before the deadline expires.
More than 17 lakh cards issued so far
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh has issued strict instructions to officials that no female passenger should be prevented from traveling free under the Pink Ticket until the 15th of this month. According to government data, women are highly enthusiastic about this new system. A total of 1.74 million Pink Saheli Smart Cards have been issued so far.