Members of the transgender will soon be able to avail of free travel in DTC and Cluster buses with a dedicated ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’, thanks to the special initiative taken by the Delhi government to prioritize dignity and accessibility for marginalized sections.
According to the Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh, the move will only help one of the most marginalized sections of society live with dignity but will ensure equal opportunities for them.
He said the Transport Department has been directed to provide sensitization and behavioral training to the bus drivers, conductors, and marshals before the service begins, ensuring a safe and comfortable travel experience for transgender passengers.
The cabinet minister said under the leadership Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is continuously working for the welfare and empowerment of every deprived and marginalized community, guided by the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Samman” (Togetherness, Development for All, and Respect for All).
He shared that the social welfare and SC/ST/OBC welfare departments have already been instructed to include a ‘Transgender’ option in all the application forms where applicable, to enable eligible individuals to seamlessly access government welfare schemes.
Indraj emphasized that the initiative would not only ensure mobility for the community with convenience but also strengthen the spirit of equality, inclusiveness, and respect in society.
Earlier, the minister had shared that there are a number of initiatives that the government is working on to benefit the marginalized sections of the society, which will help them come forward and move on the path of progress.
Singh inaugurated the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Auditorium at Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College, where he stated that it was on this very day that Baba Saheb began his formal education, which makes the occasion even more significant.
Recalling Ambedkar’s contributions, the minister said Baba Saheb taught not only about rights, but also about participation. “If every individual fulfills their role responsibly, they can achieve any height — and that was Baba Saheb’s message,” he added.
He emphasized that true social harmony is achieved only when everyone’s participation is ensured, claiming that presently, every section of society is increasingly represented in governance and institutions, which he said is a clear reflection of social transformation.
The minister also shared that the state government has increased the budget for social welfare, women’s empowerment, and SC/ST welfare by nearly 70 per cent, and is working to reopen closed hostels and build new ones for students from poor and marginalized communities.
In addition, the Delhi Scheduled Castes Financial and Development Corporation (DSFDC) is being restructured to provide better financial support to the underprivileged, he added.