New Delhi — Delhi politician Saurabh Bhardwaj has raised questions over the recently launched DTC Pink Card Delhi, asking whether the initiative is necessary when women are already entitled to free travel on DTC buses.
In a series of tweets, Bhardwaj wrote:
“When every woman can travel free on DTC buses, what is the need for the DTC Pink Card Delhi? Does the government’s bias against poor women from UP, Bihar, Haryana come to light? Why is taxpayer money being wasted on making the Pink Card?”
जब हर महिला DTC बस में मुफ्त सफर कर रही थी तो PINK कार्ड की क्या ज़रूरत थी?
क्या UP, बिहार, हरियाणा की ग़रीब महिलाओं से सरकार की नफ़रत सामने आ गई ?
पिंक कार्ड बनाने के लिए सरकारी पैसा क्यों बर्बाद किया जा रहा है ? pic.twitter.com/ldpAPtM7il
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) March 2, 2026
The Pink Card Delhi, launched by President Draupadi Murmu under the “Empowered Women, Prosperous Delhi” initiative, aims to provide women with a smart, digital mobility card that can be used not only for buses but also for metro and other public transport services. The government maintains that this step is meant to modernize the existing system, ensuring transparency, digital tracking, and better management of free travel benefits.
Current Free Travel Scheme vs DTC Pink Card Delhi
While women have been entitled to free rides on DTC and cluster buses, the existing process is largely paper-based or token-based, which makes tracking usage and ensuring accountability difficult. The Pink Card Delhi introduces a digital system that records travel patterns, prevents misuse, and can integrate multiple transport modes into a single card.
Government Response
Delhi officials have clarified that the DTC Pink Card Delhi is completely free for women, and its creation is part of efforts to enhance convenience, security, and transparency. The card also facilitates data-driven planning for public transport, ensuring that services meet actual demand
The DTC Pink Card Delhi initiative reflects a shift from paper-based schemes to digital solutions, aimed at improving efficiency and tracking, while still maintaining the free travel benefits that women already enjoy. The debate sparked by Bhardwaj’s tweet highlights the ongoing public discussion over government spending, equity, and digital modernization in public services.