Women in Delhi to receive 'Saheli Smart Cards' enabling free bus travel; application process explained
The Delhi Government is set to launch the Saheli Smart Card scheme, a pioneering initiative aimed at providing free bus travel for women and transgender individuals residing in the city. The scheme, which falls under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, is scheduled for launch on August 15, 2025.
The Saheli Smart Card will replace the existing pink ticket system, currently open to all women regardless of residency. Eligibility for the new card is limited to female and transgender Delhi residents aged 12 and above.
To avail of the Saheli Smart Card, beneficiaries must register through the DTC portal and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities at an authorized bank. Required documents include Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence, and a passport-sized photograph.
The Saheli Smart Card will feature the holder's name and photo, and it will be issued as a digital travel pass. It will also have recharge and top-up functionality for use on other transit modes like the Delhi Metro.
The card is part of Delhi's effort to modernize public transit and ensure accountability in the system by limiting free travel to verified Delhi residents. The successful empanelment of banks is a crucial step towards the implementation of the Saheli Smart Card scheme, with the empaneled banks playing a significant role in the rollout.
The empanelment process for banks has been initiated through an Expression of Interest (EOI). The banks empaneled will be responsible for activating the cards through the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS).
The Delhi Government is optimistic about the scheme's potential to revolutionize public transportation in the city, making it more accessible and inclusive for women and transgender individuals. The successful empanelment of banks is necessary for the actual implementation of the Saheli Smart Card scheme, and the expected launch date remains August 15, 2025, assuming the empanelment of banks is successful.
No financial cost is associated with obtaining the Saheli Smart Card, making it an affordable solution for the city's residents. The scheme is a significant step towards the broader goal of providing free bus travel to women and transgender individuals in Delhi, modernizing the city's public transit system, and promoting gender equality.
- The empaneled banks will play a significant role in the rollout of the Saheli Smart Card scheme, activating the cards through the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS).
- The recharge and top-up functionality of the Saheli Smart Card will allow for use on other transit modes like the Delhi Metro, making transportation more convenient for residents.
- The Saheli Smart Card, which is part of Delhi's effort to modernize public transit, is a significant step towards promoting a more inclusive lifestyle by providing free bus travel to women and transgender individuals, and is also an affordable home-and-garden solution for the city's residents.
