In a move to recalibrate Delhi’s free bus travel for women, the Government of NCT Delhi (GNCTD) launched the Pink Saheli Card as a replacement for the existing Pink Ticket scheme launched by the erstwhile AAP government. Under the new model, Pink coloured cards would be issued to eligible women – women who live in Delhi, validated with their Aadhaar card – which would function as an NCMC. Regular NCMCs (Blue, and Orange for pass holders) would also be issued to others, while existing Delhi Metro and other NCMCs are expected to work normally.
The Saheli Card was formally launched by President of India Draupadi Murmu and Chief Minister of Delhi Rekha Gupta on 2 March 2026.
A list of outlets where eligible women can apply for the Saheli Card is available on the DTC website. Given that the list includes multiple pass counters at various depots of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), it can be assumed that non-Saheli cards would be available there too. It would also be wise to assume that the cards would work on Cluster Buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).
However, the DTC has not given a final date on the rollout for NCMCs or notified whether NCMCs are currently accepted on buses. The DTC, in a statement has said that “After a reasonable period, once it is assessed that most eligible women have received the Pink Saheli Smart Cards, the Delhi government will gradually replace the existing Pink Paper Ticket system with the Smart Card-based system to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and convenience in public transport.”
Further, DTC and DIMTS are not yet listed on the Live Projects section on the website of the National Payments Corporation of India.
Featured Image: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta holds the Saheli NCMC
