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Women and transgender people will get electric autos under the Durga Scheme.
The Delhi government has approved the Durga Scheme to provide new employment opportunities to women and transgender people. It is proposed to provide 1,300 Pink Electric Autos in the first phase of this scheme. According to the government, its objective is to promote self-employment as well as safe, clean and sustainable public transport.
The scheme was approved in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Under this, beneficiaries will be able to become owners and drivers of electric autos. The government has also linked it to increasing the participation of women and transgender people in the transport sector.
The full name of DURGA is ‘Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto’. The plan also emphasizes on strengthening last-mile public transport facilities and increasing the use of electric vehicles.
1,300 Pink Electric Autos will be allocated in the first phase.
A total of 1,300 electric autos are proposed in the first phase of the Durga scheme. Of these, 1,170 autos have been kept for women and 130 autos for transgender beneficiaries. There is a provision to provide maximum 90 autos to women and 10 autos to transgender beneficiaries in each revenue district.
According to the government, a separate online portal will be created for the scheme, where eligible applicants will be able to apply. Beneficiaries will be selected based on the prescribed eligibility conditions.
To give a distinct identity to these e-autos, special arrangements for ‘DURGA’ branding and identification are also proposed. This will make it easier for passengers to recognize these vehicles.
Eligibility Criteria for Women
The age limit for female applicants under the scheme is between 20 and 40 years. The applicant must be a resident of Delhi and must have a valid Voter ID, LMV Driving License and PSV Badge.
According to the information released by the government, the female applicant or her family should not already have any registered transport vehicle or three-wheeler. The family income for the financial year 2025-26 should also be within the prescribed limit.
Apart from this, an additional family-related eligibility condition has also been kept for women in the scheme. Detailed application process and document information will be made available through the online portal.
Separate provisions for transgender beneficiaries
The Durga scheme also provides transgender individuals with the opportunity to own and drive electric autos. In the first phase, 130 e-autos have been earmarked for such beneficiaries.
For transgender applicants also, it is mandatory to be between 20 to 40 years of age, be a resident of Delhi, have Voter ID, LMV license and PSV badge. Along with this, a valid transgender certificate issued from the District Magistrate Office of Delhi will be required.
The government says the scheme aims to increase the participation of transgender people in the transport sector and provide them with self-employment opportunities. It also seeks to make public transport more inclusive.
Three-Year Lock-In Period on E-Autos
A mandatory three-year lock-in period has been established for e-autos provided under the Durga Scheme. During this period, the beneficiary will not be able to sell, transfer or dispose of the vehicle in any other manner.
The plan also proposes a system to connect electric vehicles with Delhi’s public transport network. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has informed about the availability of space for EV charging facilities in the parking lots of 70 metro stations.
This arrangement will enable e-auto drivers to access charging facilities. According to the government, electric vehicles are also likely to create additional employment opportunities in areas such as charging, repair and servicing.
Emphasis on Women’s Safety and Last-Mile Connectivity
The Delhi government has linked the Durga Puja scheme to employment opportunities for women and transgender people, as well as safe transportation. According to the government, the plan has been prepared keeping in mind the safety and transportation challenges of passengers travelling especially in the morning and late evening.
Pink Electric Auto has also been added with the aim of strengthening the last-mile connectivity of Delhi. Such vehicles can play a role in transporting passengers from metro stations or other major transport hubs to surrounding areas.
The scheme is also expected to support the goal of reducing pollution in public transport by promoting electric vehicles. However, its actual impact will be clear only after the implementation of the scheme and operation of vehicles.
The Durga Scheme seeks to promote employment and green transportation.
The first phase of the Durga Scheme proposes to connect women and transgender individuals with self-employment through 1,300 Pink Electric Automobiles. Of these, 1,170 vehicles will be for women and 130 vehicles for transgender beneficiaries.
The application process will be carried out through the online portal and the beneficiaries will have to fulfill the prescribed eligibility. A three-year lock-in period, conditions related to PSV badge and other documents will be part of the operation of the scheme.
At present the scheme has got the approval of the cabinet. Now, the application portal, detailed guidelines, and further procedures for selecting beneficiaries are awaited. Only then will it be finalized.
