Delhi DURGA E-Auto Scheme: 1,300 pink autos for women and transgenders
Synopsis
Delhi is rolling out 1,300 pink electric autos exclusively for women and transgender drivers under the DURGA scheme — a rare move that weaves gender inclusion directly into the city's EV policy. With DMRC and NCRTC charging infrastructure on board and aggregator onboarding mandated for free, the scheme's real test will be whether it converts Cabinet approval into independent livelihoods on the ground.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi Cabinet under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved the DURGA E-Auto Scheme for women and transgender self-employment.
1,300 pink electric autos will be deployed in the first phase — 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries.
Each revenue district will receive a maximum of 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender persons .
Dedicated parking and charging slots have been sought from DMRC and NCRTC at Metro and RRTS stations.
Beneficiaries will receive purchase incentives under the Delhi EV Policy 2026 and free aggregator onboarding.
Allocations will be managed via a dedicated digital portal for transparency.
The Delhi government is set to launch the DURGA (Driving, Upliftment and Rozgar for Women and Transgender) E-Auto Scheme, a green mobility initiative designed to create safe, dignified self-employment for women and transgender persons in the capital. The scheme was approved by the Delhi Cabinet under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and will roll out 1,300 pink electric autos in its first phase.
How the Allocation Works
Of the 1,300 electric autos earmarked for the first phase, 1,170 will be reserved for women beneficiaries and 130 for transgender beneficiaries. Within each revenue district, a maximum of 90 electric autos will be allocated to women and up to 10 to transgender beneficiaries, in line with prescribed district-wise quotas and eligibility criteria. Allocations will be processed through a dedicated digital portal to ensure transparency.
What the Government Said
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the pink electric autos are expected to strengthen women's participation in public transport, expand livelihood opportunities, and contribute to a cleaner urban environment. 'The objective of the DURGA Scheme goes beyond the allocation of electric vehicles. It is about creating opportunities for women and transgender persons to build independent livelihoods, participate more actively in the transport sector and become self-reliant,' he said.
Singh added that by promoting electric autos operated by these beneficiaries, the scheme also aims to build public confidence and make last-mile transportation 'more accessible and inclusive,' particularly during early morning and late evening hours.
Infrastructure and Incentives
The Transport Department has sought dedicated parking and charging slots from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) at Metro and Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) stations. Beneficiaries will also be eligible for purchase incentives under the Delhi EV Policy 2026. Additionally, aggregators will be directed to provide free onboarding and platform subscriptions to DURGA E-Auto drivers, connecting them to digital mobility networks.
Broader Impact and Context
The scheme positions Delhi as one of the few Indian state capitals to formally integrate gender inclusion into its electric-vehicle rollout. This comes amid the Centre's wider push to accelerate EV adoption and improve last-mile connectivity in urban agglomerations. Notably, the involvement of DMRC and NCRTC anchors the scheme to the city's rapid transit spine, potentially extending its reach to commuters on the Namo Bharat RRTS corridor. Critics and civil society groups have previously argued that without robust driving-licence support, vehicle financing access, and grievance redressal, gender-targeted transport schemes can stall at the intent stage — making the digital portal's design and the EV Policy 2026 incentives critical to the scheme's actual uptake.
What Comes Next
An official launch date has not yet been announced, but the Cabinet approval and the transport department's coordination with DMRC and NCRTC signal an advanced planning stage. The first disbursements under the scheme are expected once the digital portal goes live and beneficiary registrations are processed across all revenue districts of Delhi.
Point of View
But the scheme's success will ultimately hinge on how many women and transgender beneficiaries can actually obtain and retain commercial driving licences and vehicle financing, two barriers that past state EV schemes have largely ignored. The DMRC and NCRTC charging-infrastructure ask is smart city planning, but coordination between three agencies is where execution risk typically accumulates. Delhi has a history of announcing inclusion-linked transport measures that underdeliver at the district level — the district-wise quota design here is a meaningful departure, but independent monitoring will determine whether it holds.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DURGA E-Auto Scheme in Delhi?
The DURGA (Driving, Upliftment and Rozgar for Women and Transgender) E-Auto Scheme is a Delhi government initiative that will allocate 1,300 pink electric autos to women and transgender beneficiaries for self-employment. It was approved by the Delhi Cabinet under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and is designed to combine social empowerment with green urban mobility.
How many electric autos will be allocated under the DURGA scheme?
In the first phase, 1,300 pink electric autos will be allocated — 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries. Each revenue district will receive a maximum of 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender persons.
What incentives are available for DURGA scheme beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries are eligible for purchase incentives under the Delhi EV Policy 2026. Aggregators will also be required to provide free onboarding and platform subscriptions, helping drivers connect to digital mobility networks at no cost.
How will charging infrastructure be provided for DURGA e-auto drivers?
The Transport Department has requested dedicated parking and charging slots from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) at Metro and Namo Bharat RRTS stations to support convenient operations.
When will the DURGA E-Auto Scheme launch?
An official launch date has not yet been announced. The scheme has received Cabinet approval and the government is coordinating with DMRC and NCRTC; beneficiary registration is expected to begin once a dedicated digital portal goes live.
