Delhi Government has fulfilled one part of its commitment towards assuring “women safety” in the national capital with pink passes for DTC buses.
A promise made on Independence Day, now executed on “Bhai Dooj”. Delhi Government’s has fulfilled one part of its commitment towards assuring “women safety” in the national capital. CM Kejriwal announced the implementation of the “single journey free travel pass” for women and deployment of 13,000 marshals too. The development was applauded widely as an example of governance towards a progressive and egalitarian direction.
The Single Journey Free Travel Pass
From 29th October, all DTC and cluster buses will give pink tickets to those women who avail free bus ride service in Delhi-NCR. The Delhi government will reimburse the amount i.e. Rs 10/- per ticket single journey based on the number of pink tickets issued by the transport providers (DTC and cluster). Approx. 1.5 crore pink ticket passes have been printed.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said this free ride scheme is voluntary. That means if any women passengers wish, can forego the free ride service and buy tickets. That’s another step that ropes in the citizens in the government’s aim to make the policy a success.
Further Implementation of the Scheme
However, the cabinet approval of free ride services also includes a controversial provision. Women officers, officials from Delhi government and local bodies will not be entitled to transport allowance if they choose to avail the free ride service facility in DTC and cluster buses.
Delhi cabinet on 29th August 2019 also specified that all the government and local bodies have to take an undertaking from their women employees that they are not availing the free travel facility. The transport department after the implementation of this free ride scheme shall also write to the Minister of Finance to consider issuing the necessary instructions to all the ministries, departments, and other autonomous bodies of GOI.
Towards a more egalitarian society
DTC is considered to be one of the safest modes of transport in Delhi. Almost 30% of travellers in DTC and cluster buses are women. Furthermore, they make up 15 lakh passengers are availing the public bus services in Delhi each day.
Delhi Assembly had also approved a grant of around Rs 140 crore for this free ride scheme for women. DTC has also planned to run the maximum number of buses today on Bhai Dooj. Additional 5,550 buses are likely to ply.
The measure aims to inspire the confidence of the national capital’s women in the city’s public transport. It is a definite step towards ensuring their safety in a city where crimes against women are thrice the national average.
Here’s how the national capital thanked the Government for its monumental move of free ride service schemes.
