No free bus travel for women without Saheli cards from August 1
Delhi will require the Saheli Pink National Common Mobility Card for free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation buses from August 1.
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What happened
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has said women commuters in Delhi will not be able to use free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses from August 1, 2026 unless they have the Saheli Pink National Common Mobility Card. Paper pink tickets will remain valid only until July 31, 2026.
The minister said about 15 lakh cards had already been issued and that issuance would continue through DTC depots and notified centres.
Why the change matters
The Delhi government says the smart-card system will streamline the scheme, improve beneficiary management, and strengthen transparency while keeping benefits uninterrupted. For UPSC, the issue sits at the intersection of governance, social justice, and the use of digital tools in welfare delivery.
