Women can soon travel for free on public transport in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced yesterday.
Days after, Arvind Kejriwal Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was wiped out in all 7 Lok Sabha seats in the recent election. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced free DTC bus and Delhi Metro rides for women in the capital city.
The scheme for free rides for women was announced at a press conference.
Arvind Kejriwal said that the scheme has been announced so that women have safe travel experience in Delhi.
The statement made by Arvind Kejriwal at the press conference, “On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains, women will be allowed to travel free of cost. So, they have safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices.”
The expenses of the free ride scheme will be borne by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
In another statement Arvind Kejriwal also clarified that subsidy will not be imposed on anyone, the free ride scheme is optional.
“There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford can purchase tickets, they needn’t take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets and not take subsidy so that others could benefit,” Arvind Kejriwal further added.
Delhi CM: Subsidy won't be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford, can purchase tickets, they needn't take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets¬ take subsidy so that others could benefit. https://t.co/QHtqfvBjiR
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
However, the scheme is just a proposal and is yet to be cleared by the center. Kejriwal said, officers, have been given a week to prepare a detailed proposal to both Delhi Metro and DTC after which a proposal will be brought in the cabinet.
Kejriwal said, “I have given a 1 week time to officials to make a detailed proposal – for both DTC and metro – on how and when can this be implemented. We’re making an effort to start this within 2-3 months. We’re also seeking suggestions from people, regarding implementation.”
“Initially, we had told the Centre not to increase the price of tickets, they didn’t agree. We told them we’ve 50-50 partnership, let’s give 50-50 subsidy on raised prices, they didn’t agree. Delhi government will bear the fare of what we’re going to do. We needn’t take approval for this,” he further added.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is partly run by the central government.
The scheme would cost the Delhi government Rs. 700 crore this year.
