Delhi Government's DURGA scheme gets Cabinet approval; 1,300 pink e-autos—find out who is eligible to apply..

The Delhi government has taken a major decision to link women and the transgender community with self-employment opportunities and to promote safe public transport in the capital. The 'DURGA' scheme was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Under the first phase of the scheme, 1,300 pink electric autos (e-autos) will be introduced on the roads. These e-autos will be operated exclusively by women and transgender drivers. The government states that this initiative will prove to be a significant step towards job creation, women's empowerment, and providing safe last-mile connectivity to passengers.

**Cabinet Approval: 1,300 Pink E-Autos to Hit the Roads**
The Delhi government has formally approved the DURGA scheme. Under this initiative, 1,300 pink e-auto permits will be issued in the capital. The scheme is specifically designed for women and the transgender community to provide them with self-employment opportunities and increase their participation in the transport sector. The government believes this will offer an additional and relatively safer transport option for commuters—especially women—traveling during early morning and late evening hours.

**Permits Reserved for Women and the Transgender Community**
A total of 1,300 e-autos will be made available in the first phase of the scheme. Of these, 1,170 e-autos are reserved for women, and 130 are reserved for the transgender community. These permits will be distributed across all 13 revenue districts of Delhi. In each district, e-autos will be provided to a maximum of 90 female beneficiaries and 10 transgender beneficiaries.

**What is the Objective of the Scheme?**
According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the primary objective of the scheme is to make women and transgender individuals economically self-reliant. The government states that the scheme will provide beneficiaries with the opportunity to operate their own vehicles and establish a stable source of income. Additionally, it will enhance diversity and accessibility within the capital's public transport system.

**Who Can Apply?**
**Eligibility for Female Applicants:** Female applicants must be residents of Delhi. They must be between 20 and 40 years of age and possess a valid Voter ID. An LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) driving license is required. Possession of a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) badge is mandatory. The family income for the financial year 2025-26 must not exceed ₹5 lakh. Additionally, neither the applicant nor any family member should own a registered transport vehicle or a three-wheeler. Women with more than three children are ineligible for the scheme. Rules for transgender applicants: The age limit for transgender beneficiaries is also set between 20 and 40 years. They must be residents of Delhi and possess a valid Voter ID. An LMV driving license and a PSV badge are mandatory. A transgender certificate issued by a District Magistrate's office in Delhi must be submitted.

**E-autos cannot be sold for three years**
The government has stipulated a mandatory three-year lock-in period for the scheme. During this period, beneficiaries cannot sell, transfer, or hand over the e-auto to anyone else. The government believes this will ensure the scheme's actual benefits reach the eligible beneficiaries.

**DURGA e-autos to feature special branding**
All e-autos operating under the scheme will feature special 'DURGA' branding. These vehicles will carry distinctive identification marks, making it easier for passengers to recognize them.

**Preparations for charging infrastructure**
The Delhi government has also initiated work on charging facilities for e-auto operations. Under the government scheme, space has been allocated for EV charging facilities in the parking areas of 70 Delhi Metro stations, making it convenient for e-auto drivers to charge their vehicles.

**Creation of new employment opportunities**
The government estimates that the scheme will not be limited to driving alone. It is expected to generate employment opportunities in sectors such as EV servicing, battery repair, charging station operations, battery recycling, and maintenance workshops.

**DURGA scheme is an extension of a previous initiative**
This is not the first attempt to issue e-auto permits to women in Delhi. Under the e-auto scheme launched in March 2022, 33 percent of the 4,261 permits—amounting to 1,406 permits—were reserved for women. Lilac-colored e-autos were introduced to make the vehicles driven by women easily identifiable. The DURGA scheme is now an extension of that initiative, featuring a dedicated permit pool specifically for women and the transgender community.

**Awaiting the Portal Launch**
The Cabinet has approved the scheme, and the eligibility criteria have been finalized. The next step is the launch of the online application portal. Once the portal goes live, the application process will begin, followed by the appearance of 'DURGA'-branded pink e-autos on Delhi's roads for the first time.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.