Saheli Smart Card: The Delhi government is introducing a revolutionary and significant change to the free bus travel scheme for women. Women will no longer need to purchase pink paper tickets from conductors while traveling on buses; instead, a digital Pink Saheli Smart Card is being introduced.
This new smart card will not only make travel high-tech and convenient for women, but will also mark a significant step towards making Delhi’s public transport completely digital. Beginning in 2026, millions of women in Delhi will be able to take advantage of this modern facility.
Pink Saheli Card
According to the Delhi government’s ambitious plan, pink paper tickets will end in January 2026 on all DTC and cluster buses in Delhi. The “Pink Saheli Card” will replace them across Delhi. The card’s most significant feature is its contactless nature. Upon boarding the bus, women simply need to tap their card once on the electronic ticketing machine (ETM) located near the conductor, and their free travel will be recorded.
According to official Delhi government data, approximately 20 million women benefit from this scheme every month, a remarkable figure in itself. This card represents a significant effort towards making the scheme completely transparent and paperless.
Accurate data will improve Delhi
One of the government’s key objectives behind introducing the Pink Saheli card is data collection. Previously, it was difficult to determine how many women were traveling on which route at any given time using paper tickets. The use of the digital card will provide the government with real-time data.
This will help the government understand which routes have a higher number of women, so that bus frequency can be increased there and passengers can be relieved of congestion. This modern technology will make bus services more efficient and passenger-friendly.
Now, only Delhi women will benefit
The biggest and most significant change in this new system is the mandatory requirement of an Aadhaar card. To obtain a Pink Saheli card, beneficiaries must have an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address. This means that only women who are permanent residents of Delhi will be able to avail of this digital smart card.
The card will store all beneficiary information in a secure manner, eliminating the possibility of fraud. The government believes that this will ensure accurate data and ensure that only eligible women receive the benefits of the scheme.
Where and How to Get a Pink Saheli Card
If you are a resident of Delhi and wish to obtain your Pink Saheli smart card, the government has made the process very simple and straightforward. You can visit several dedicated registration counters at your nearest District Magistrate (DM) or SDM office. Additionally, you can apply at any Common Service Center (CSC) or Public Convenience Center in Delhi. The Pink Saheli card-making facility will also be available at all major bus depots in Delhi.
Registration counters are being opened in all these locations so that women don’t face any hassles in getting their cards. All you need to do is bring your Delhi Aadhaar card and a photo, and your digital card will be ready at lightning speed.