New Delhi— The Delhi government has rolled out the ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’, a new initiative aimed at ensuring free and comfortable travel for women and transgender individuals across the city’s Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster bus networks.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the launch on X, stating that women and transgender persons above 12 years of age can now travel free of charge in all DTC and cluster buses. “The Delhi government has introduced the ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgenders. Now, daughters, sisters, and mothers above 12 years can travel freely and conveniently on Delhi’s public buses,” she posted.
She added that the initiative represents a strong push towards empowering women and encouraging the use of public transport. “This move makes travel safer and more accessible for women in Delhi while also promoting respect and inclusivity,” CM Gupta said.
Meanwhile, in another significant decision, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced on Friday that the government would begin granting recognition to private unaided schools operating in non-conforming areas of the city. The long-pending decision, he said, restores thousands of children’s right to education.
According to the Directorate of Education, schools functioning in non-conforming areas that have not yet received recognition — due to procedural delays or discriminatory actions by previous governments — can now apply for official recognition. The online application portal opened on November 1 and will remain open until November 30, 2025. After reviewing the applications, the Directorate will publish a list of schools meeting all necessary conditions for approval.
Education Minister Sood emphasized that the move ends years of bureaucratic neglect. “For more than a decade, children were denied their constitutional right to education because files were left unattended. Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s leadership, we have ended this unfair practice. This decision ensures justice for students, fairness for institutions, and transparency in Delhi’s education system,” he said.
