Delhi Chief Minister Defends 'Saheli Pink Card' Initiative Amid Rumors

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has firmly defended the 'Saheli Pink Card' initiative, aimed at providing free travel for women, amidst circulating rumors questioning its effectiveness. In a recent statement, she criticized political opponents for their discomfort with women's empowerment efforts. Gupta reassured that the program is running smoothly and is beneficial for women across the capital. The initiative replaces the previous pink paper ticket system with a smart card, allowing seamless access to various public transport services. With 50 authorized centers set up for card issuance, the government aims to enhance women's mobility and safety in the city. Read on to discover more about this significant initiative.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 17:43 IST

CM Rekha Gupta Addresses Rumors Surrounding 'Saheli Pink Card'

On Tuesday, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta dismissed rumors regarding the 'Saheli Pink Card' initiative, asserting that the program aimed at female commuters is functioning effectively without any issues. In a post on X, she criticized her political opponents, claiming they are uncomfortable with initiatives designed to empower women. Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), she questioned how the 'Saheli Pink Card' could attract women if they are already troubled by girls riding bicycles.

Gupta reiterated that the pink card scheme is running smoothly, benefiting women across the national capital. She emphasized that the card provides free travel, allowing users to tap and enjoy hassle-free journeys. In a video accompanying her statement, the Chief Minister refuted the 'false rumors' circulating about the initiative, alleging that certain political elements are deliberately spreading misinformation to create confusion among women users of the card.

Under this scheme, the BJP government has replaced the pink paper ticket system initiated by the previous AAP government in 2019 with the pink NCMC card, part of the central government's 'One Nation, One Card' initiative, which offers free travel exclusively to Delhi residents. CM Gupta mentioned that this card will also enable paid access to metro services, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and other public transport services through a single smart card.

According to officials, this facility will be implemented following the same pattern and mechanism currently in place for the free travel scheme for women on Delhi buses. The Delhi government has established 50 authorized centers across the city to facilitate the issuance of the Saheli Pink Smart Card.