Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Delhi Plans 1,300 Pink E-Autos for Women, Transgender Drivers
Delhi plans to provide 1,300 pink electric autos through a program called DURGA.
Women will be offered 1,170 autos, and transgender people will be offered 130.
The autos will be divided among Delhi’s 13 revenue districts.
People will apply online, and district committees will check their applications.
If more eligible people apply than there are autos in a district, an online lottery will decide who gets them.
The government will ask ride-hailing companies to let selected drivers join without onboarding or subscription fees.
It has not been confirmed that the companies will list the autos on their apps.
The program is meant to support drivers’ livelihoods and make last-mile transport more accessible.
The government also plans to study how the scheme affects beneficiaries’ incomes and livelihoods.
Delhi plans to allot 1,300 pink electric autos in the first phase of its DURGA scheme: 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender people.
Each of Delhi’s 13 revenue districts can allocate up to 90 autos to women and 10 to transgender applicants.
Applications will be reviewed by district committees, with weekly verification and an online lottery if eligible applicants exceed district quotas.
The government will ask ride-hailing companies to waive onboarding and subscription charges for selected drivers; listing the autos on apps depends on companies agreeing.
Selected beneficiaries may receive purchase incentives under Delhi’s EV Policy 2026, while the government also plans to study the scheme’s livelihood impact.
- Who
- The Delhi government; the planned beneficiaries are women and transgender people.
- What
- The first-phase allotment of 1,300 pink electric autos under the DURGA E-Auto Scheme, with a request to ride-hailing companies to waive certain driver fees.
- When
- The scheme was approved by the Delhi Cabinet on September 23; the announcement was reported on October 11, with the year not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Delhi, across 13 revenue districts; the government has also sought parking and charging spaces at Metro and Namo Bharat stations.
- Why
- To support independent livelihoods, increase women’s and transgender people’s participation in transport, and promote cleaner and more inclusive last-mile travel.
Potential benefits
Conditions and uncertainties
Ride-hailing access
Potential benefits
App listings and waived onboarding or subscription charges could make it easier for selected drivers to find passengers and for commuters to book autos.
Conditions and uncertainties
The government is only asking ride-hailing companies to waive fees, and app listings are conditional on companies agreeing.
Safety and last-mile travel
Potential benefits
The government says the scheme could make travel to and from Metro stations safer and more convenient, including for women travelling early or late.
Conditions and uncertainties
The articles describe these as aims; they do not provide evidence yet about the scheme’s effect on passenger safety.
Costs for beneficiaries
Potential benefits
Selected beneficiaries may be eligible for purchase incentives under Delhi’s EV Policy 2026.
Conditions and uncertainties
The government has not specified the final amount each beneficiary will pay, and the stated incentive is subject to conditions.
- Scheme
- DURGA: Driving, Upliftment and Rozgar for Women and Transgender
- First-phase total
- 1,300 pink electric autos
- Beneficiary allocation
- 1,170 autos for women and 130 for transgender people
- District quotas
- Up to 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender applicants in each of 13 revenue districts
- Application process
- A dedicated online portal developed by the National Informatics Centre; district committees chaired by District Magistrates will review applications, with weekly verification
- Oversubscription
- An online draw of lots will determine allocations if eligible applicants exceed a district quota
- Ride-hailing apps
- The government will ask companies to waive onboarding and subscription charges; app listings depend on the companies agreeing
- EV incentives
- Beneficiaries may qualify for incentives under Delhi EV Policy 2026; the report cites Rs 50,000 for eligible autos registered in the first year, subject to conditions
