Delhi extends free DTC bus travel for women via pink tickets till Aug 15
Synopsis
Delhi has quietly extended its pink ticket free-travel window for women DTC commuters to 15 August, pushing the mandatory Pink Saheli Smart Card deadline to 16 August. With 17.04 lakh cards already issued but a large eligible base still to enrol, the fortnight's grace period is the government's bid to avoid a disruptive cutoff that could have locked out thousands of daily riders.
Key Takeaways
Delhi government has extended the validity of pink tickets for free DTC bus travel until 15 August midnight .
The mandatory Pink Saheli Smart Card (NCMC) requirement now kicks in from 16 August , pushed back from the earlier 1 August deadline.
As of 31 July , 17.04 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards had been issued across Delhi.
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh directed all depot managers, regional managers, and conductors to intensify awareness campaigns before the revised deadline.
Women who do not obtain the smart card before 16 August risk losing access to the free travel benefit.
The Delhi government has extended the validity of pink tickets for free travel in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses until 15 August 2025, giving women commuters additional time to transition to the mandatory Pink Saheli Smart Card (NCMC) system. The decision, announced on 31 July, pushes back the earlier 1 August deadline by a fortnight, ensuring no eligible woman is left without access to the free travel benefit during the changeover.
What the Extension Means for Commuters
Under the revised arrangement, DTC bus conductors will continue issuing pink tickets until 15 August midnight. The mandatory switchover to the Pink Saheli Smart Card — based on the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework — will now come into effect from 16 August. Women who have not yet obtained their smart card have until that date to do so without losing access to the free travel facility.
What the Government Said
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh confirmed the extension, framing it as a commuter-first measure. 'The decision to extend the deadline has been taken solely in the interest of women commuters, giving every eligible beneficiary sufficient time to obtain the Pink Saheli Smart Card,' Singh said. He added that all women passengers should secure their NCMC cards before 16 August to continue enjoying uninterrupted free travel. Officials across bus depots — including depot managers, regional managers, and conductors — have been directed to intensify public awareness campaigns and assist passengers in obtaining the card.
Strong Uptake So Far
As of 31 July, a total of 17.04 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards had already been issued, reflecting what the government described as a strong response from women commuters. The original circular, issued on 10 July, had stipulated that only holders of a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card would be eligible for free DTC travel from 1 August onwards. The revised deadline acknowledges that a section of eligible beneficiaries had not yet completed the card-issuance process.
Background: The Pink Saheli Smart Card Scheme
The Pink Saheli Smart Card is Delhi's dedicated NCMC-based card for women commuters, designed to replace the paper-based pink ticket system for free bus travel on DTC and cluster buses. The shift to a smart card system is intended to improve ridership data accuracy, reduce paper-based fraud, and align Delhi's transit infrastructure with national interoperable mobility standards. This is not the first time the deadline has been adjusted — the government's phased approach reflects the logistical challenge of enrolling a large and geographically dispersed beneficiary base.
What Happens Next
Women commuters who have not yet obtained the Pink Saheli Smart Card are urged to visit their nearest DTC depot or designated issuance centre before 15 August. From 16 August, pink tickets will no longer be accepted for free travel, and only valid NCMC cardholders will be eligible for the benefit. The Transport Ministry has indicated that awareness drives will be ramped up at bus stops, depots, and through community outreach in the coming days.
Point of View
The question is how many eligible women remain unenrolled — a figure the government has not disclosed. The shift from paper tickets to NCMC is the right structural move, but repeated deadline extensions risk normalising non-compliance and undermining the credibility of future cutoff dates. The real test will be 16 August: whether conductors enforce the card-only rule uniformly or revert to informal tolerance of paper tickets.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Delhi women still use pink tickets for free DTC bus travel?
Yes, but only until 15 August midnight. The Delhi government has extended the pink ticket validity by a fortnight, after which only the Pink Saheli Smart Card (NCMC) will be accepted for free travel from 16 August onwards.
What is the Pink Saheli Smart Card and how can women get it?
The Pink Saheli Smart Card is an NCMC-based transit card issued by the Delhi government that entitles eligible women to free travel on DTC and cluster buses. Women can obtain it at DTC depots and designated issuance centres across Delhi.
Why has the Delhi government extended the pink ticket deadline?
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the extension was granted to ensure a smooth, citizen-friendly transition and to give every eligible beneficiary adequate time to obtain the smart card. The government acknowledged that a section of eligible commuters had not yet completed enrolment.
How many Pink Saheli Smart Cards have been issued so far?
As of 31 July, a total of 17.04 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards had been issued, according to the Transport Ministry, reflecting strong uptake among Delhi's women commuters.
What happens if a woman does not get the Pink Saheli Smart Card before 16 August?
From 16 August, pink tickets will no longer be valid for free DTC bus travel. Women without a Pink Saheli Smart Card will need to pay the regular fare. The government has urged all eligible commuters to enrol before the revised deadline.
