DTC crosses 10 lakh Pink Saheli NCMC cards in 90 days across Delhi
Synopsis
Delhi's Pink Saheli NCMC Card crossed 10 lakh issuances in just 90 days — one of the fastest digital mobility rollouts in India. With 11,000 cards issued daily across 73 centres, and the card usable on Metro and RRTS too, this is shaping up as a meaningful shift in how Delhi's women access public transport.
Key Takeaways
DTC issued over 10 lakh Pink Saheli NCMC Cards within 90 days of launch on 2 March .
Nearly 11,000 cards are being issued daily across 73 distribution centres in Delhi.
The card provides free travel on DTC buses and can be used on Delhi Metro , RRTS , and other NCMC-enabled systems.
DTC signed an MoU with Airawat Research Foundation (ARF), IIT Kanpur to enhance the Delhi Transport Stack and One Delhi App .
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the government is prepared to scale up capacity if demand increases further.
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has issued more than 10 lakh Pink Saheli National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) within 90 days of the scheme's launch, Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced on Monday, 1 June. The milestone makes it one of the fastest large-scale digital mobility rollouts in the country, according to the minister.
What the Pink Saheli Card Offers
Launched on 2 March, the Pink Saheli NCMC Card provides women commuters in Delhi with free, digital, and contactless travel on DTC buses. Built on the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, the card can also be recharged and used across the Delhi Metro, RRTS, and other NCMC-enabled transit systems, creating an integrated mobility experience for women across the capital.
Scale and Distribution
Around 73 distribution centres across Delhi are currently issuing the cards, with nearly 11,000 cards being issued every day. Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the government is fully prepared to scale up operations if demand exceeds current projections, adding that DTC has adequate staff, systems, and infrastructure to support wider coverage.
'Crossing the 10-lakh mark within such a short period is a matter of immense satisfaction. The greatest joy is that this facility has reached our mothers and sisters. This is not merely a travel card; it is a step towards convenience, empowerment, and integrated mobility,' Singh said.
Data-Driven Governance Push
Beyond free travel, the initiative is being positioned as a tool for evidence-based public transport planning. The data generated through the scheme will contribute to improved bus deployment, route optimisation, and last-mile connectivity decisions across Delhi, the minister said. The scheme is being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and aligns with the broader citizen-focused governance framework championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
MoU with IIT Kanpur
During the same event, DTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airawat Research Foundation (ARF), IIT Kanpur, for the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the Delhi Transport Stack and the One Delhi App. The partnership signals a push to embed technology and research into Delhi's public transport backbone going forward.
Point of View
But the more telling metric will be active usage — how many of these cards are being tapped weekly, not just collected. Free-card schemes in Indian cities have historically suffered from low activation rates after the initial distribution surge. The MoU with IIT Kanpur for the Delhi Transport Stack is the quieter but more consequential announcement: if the data infrastructure is built right, it could actually reshape bus deployment and reduce the chronic mismatch between routes and ridership demand. That is the harder, less photogenic work — and the one worth watching.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pink Saheli NCMC Card in Delhi?
The Pink Saheli NCMC Card is a free digital travel card issued by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to women commuters in Delhi, launched on 2 March. It provides free travel on DTC buses and can be recharged for use on Delhi Metro, RRTS, and other NCMC-enabled transit systems.
How many Pink Saheli cards have been issued so far?
More than 10 lakh Pink Saheli NCMC Cards have been issued within 90 days of the scheme's launch, as announced by Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on 1 June. Around 11,000 cards are being issued every day.
Where can women get the Pink Saheli card in Delhi?
The cards are available at around 73 distribution centres across Delhi. The government has said it is prepared to expand the number of centres if demand increases beyond current projections.
Can the Pink Saheli card be used on Delhi Metro?
Yes. Built on the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, the Pink Saheli card can be recharged and used on Delhi Metro, RRTS, and other NCMC-enabled transit networks — not just DTC buses.
What is the MoU DTC signed with IIT Kanpur?
DTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airawat Research Foundation (ARF), IIT Kanpur, for the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the Delhi Transport Stack and the One Delhi App. The partnership aims to use technology and research to improve public transport planning in Delhi.
