DURGA Scheme: Delhi Govt To Provide 1,300 Pink Electric Auto-Rickshaws For Women, Transgender Drivers; Check Eligibility

Jagran Correspondent, Delhi: The Delhi government has taken a major step toward providing safe, clean, and dignified employment opportunities for women and transgender persons in the national capital. Delhi has approved the 'Durga Scheme' to integrate women and the transgender community into the workforce with the introduction of pink electric auto-rickshaws driven by transgender persons and women.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, the Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto, or ‘DURGA’ scheme, was approved.

In the first phase of the scheme, 1,300 pink electric auto-rickshaws will be allocated:

- 1,170 autos are reserved for women.

- 130 autos are designated for members of the transgender community.

Under this initiative, beneficiaries will serve as both the owners and drivers of the vehicles. The government stated that this move will provide women and transgender individuals with honorable self-employment while promoting safe and green public transport in Delhi.

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DURGA Auto Scheme: What is the Criteria for Beneficiaries?

- A maximum cap of 10 auto-rickshaws per revenue district has been established for transgender beneficiaries.

- You can apply for the Delhi Government's newly approved DURGA Scheme online through a dedicated official application portal once it is officially launched by the Transport Department.

- Applicants must be between 20 and 40 years of age.

- Women with more than three children are excluded from this scheme as well.

- The woman applicant or her family must not own any registered transport vehicle or three-wheeler.

- The family’s income in the financial year 2025-26 must not exceed Rs 5 lakh.

- For transgender applicants, a valid transgender certificate issued by the office of the District Magistrate in Delhi, an age of 20 to 40 years, Delhi residency, a valid voter identity card, an LMV licence, and a PSV badge are mandatory.

- The e-autos under the ‘DURGA’ scheme will have a mandatory three-year lock-in period. During this period, the vehicle cannot be sold, transferred, or disposed of in any other manner.

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DURGA Auto Scheme: Check Documents Required

Applicants must be residents of Delhi and submit:

- Voter ID card

- Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license

- Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge / operator identity card

- Transgender identity certificate issued by the District Magistrate's office

Meanwhile, a special arrangement has also been proposed to integrate the scheme with the public transport network. The DMRC has stated that space for EV charging facilities has already been made available in the parking areas of 70 metro stations.