Source Deccan Herald
NEW DELHI — In a major step toward enhancing female autonomy and digital inclusion, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday launched the “Pink Saheli” National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for women and transgender residents of the national capital.
The initiative, part of the Delhi government’s “Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi” (Empowered Women, Prosperous Delhi) program, was inaugurated at a grand event held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The new smart card is designed to replace the existing paper-based pink tickets, transitioning the city’s free bus travel scheme into a sophisticated digital format.
One Card, Multiple Modes
The Pink Saheli card is more than just a bus pass. Integrated with the National Common Mobility Card framework, it allows users to travel free of cost on all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses. Beyond free bus rides, the card serves as a “One Nation, One Card” solution, enabling users to pay for travel on the Delhi Metro, Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and other public transport services across the city.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the card as a “Dignity Card,” stating it would empower women by reducing daily commuting costs and improving safe access to education, healthcare, and employment.
Key Features and Eligibility
To ensure transparency and prevent duplication, each Pink Saheli card is linked to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar and mobile number.
Eligibility: The card is available to women and transgender individuals over the age of 12 who are residents of Delhi.
Issuance: Around 50 dedicated centers, including District Magistrate (DM) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices as well as selected DTC locations, have been set up to issue the cards starting Tuesday, March 3.
Cost: The card is provided free of cost, with the Delhi government bearing all expenses.
Broad Push for Women’s Welfare
The mobility card was one of four major schemes launched by the President during the ceremony. Other initiatives included:
Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana: A financial scheme replacing the ‘Ladli’ program, which deposits funds in stages for a girl child’s education, aimed at providing a maturity value of over ₹1 lakh by age 21.
Free LPG Cylinder Scheme: Providing two free LPG cylinders annually (on Holi and Diwali) to over 15 lakh ration card-holding families.
Meri Punji, Mera Adhikar: A Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) initiative that saw over ₹100 crore transferred to more than 40,000 beneficiaries of the Ladli scheme.
President Murmu lauded the initiatives, noting that the empowerment and respect of women are the true hallmarks of a civilized nation. She expressed confidence that these digital-first schemes would instill greater self-reliance among women in the national capital.
