Delhi's Bhai Dooj gift: Pink Card registration to begin from mid October; free bus travel for women

The Delhi government is set to launch the registration process for its Pink Card, a lifetime free bus travel pass for women, from mid-October, as a Bhai Dooj gift to the women of the national capital.According to a senior transport department official, the Pink Card will be valid for a lifetime and aims to make public transport easier and more accessible. The initiative will replace the existing paper-based ticket system with the ‘Saheli Smart Card’, described as a permanent and personalised pass designed to provide women with unrestricted and secure travel on government-run buses.He said registration for the card is expected to begin in October, allowing “Delhi's daughters and sisters to avail unlimited free travel as a token of the government's commitment towards their welfare.” The exact launch date and procedure will be finalised in a meeting scheduled for the coming week.The card will also enhance safety and reduce inconvenience by eliminating the need for daily paper tickets, offering instead a hassle-free smart card.Plans for the Saheli Smart Card were first outlined in July. At the time, officials confirmed that it would carry the holder’s name and photograph and would be available to women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 12 years and above. The card, issued under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, will allow free travel on all DTC and Cluster buses and can also be recharged and used across other transit services.“To obtain the card, applicants must be bona fide residents of Delhi, aged 12 years or above, and have valid proof of address. They must register online through the DTC portal, select a participating bank, and complete full KYC verification at the chosen bank branch,” the official told PTI.The list of required documents includes Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence in Delhi, a passport-size photograph, and any additional paperwork specified under the bank’s KYC norms. Once the KYC process is completed, the issuing bank will dispatch the card directly to the applicant’s registered address.The Delhi government has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from banks and financial institutions to support the card’s roll-out. Officials clarified that while the government will not charge users for the free travel scheme, banks may impose a small fee for issuing or maintaining the card. In the event of loss, the cardholder must inform the issuing bank, which may replace it under its own policies.Before it can be used, the card must be activated through the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) of DTC. While topping up will enable use across other public transport services, the free travel facility will apply only to DTC and Cluster buses.“No card will be issued directly by DTC. Registration is completely online through the DTC portal, and cards are issued only after full KYC verification by the selected bank,” the official added.The chief minister has previously criticised the old pink ticket system, introduced under the AAP government, arguing that it was prone to corruption.