New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- The Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'DURGA' e-auto scheme, paving the way for women and transgender persons to own and drive electric autos while creating new livelihood opportunities and expanding safe last-mile transport in the Capital. The first phase will see allocation of 1,300 pink electric autos.
The Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto scheme was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Of the 1,300 autos, 1,170 will be allocated to women and 130 to transgender beneficiaries. A maximum of 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender persons will be allocated in each revenue district.
Applications will be invited through a dedicated online portal, with benefits available to applicants meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Under the scheme, women applicants must be aged between 20 and 40 years, residents of Delhi and possess a valid voter ID, LMV driving licence and PSV badge. Women with more than three children will not be eligible. The applicant or her family must not own a registered transport vehicle or three-wheeler, while annual family income for 2025-26 must not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
Transgender applicants will also have to meet the age and residency requirements and possess a voter ID, LMV licence and PSV badge, besides a valid transgender certificate issued by the Delhi District Magistrate.
The e-autos will carry distinct 'DURGA' branding and identification features. Vehicles will have a mandatory three-year lock-in period, during which they cannot be sold, transferred or disposed of. Gupta said the scheme was aimed at combining economic empowerment with safer and cleaner transport.
"'DURGA' scheme will give women and transgender persons an opportunity to become owners and drivers of electric autos. It will provide them with dignified self-employment while also helping make Delhi's public transport system more accessible and inclusive," she said.
The scheme will also be linked with Delhi's public transport network. The DMRC has made space for EV charging facilities available at 70 Metro stations, according to the government.
The government said the scheme could also generate employment in allied sectors such as repair, servicing, charging and battery recycling. It will simultaneously support electric mobility and last-mile connectivity.
Calling it a step towards a safer, greener and more inclusive Delhi, Gupta said the initiative would seek to bring "safety, employment, inclusion and environment-friendly transport" together while increasing the participation of women and transgender persons in the transport sector.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.