Sun Aug 03 20:02:24 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Delhi government’s new “Saheli Smart Card” scheme, which replaces the previous pink ticket system, provides free DTC bus travel to women and transgender persons but now requires proof of Delhi residency. This change has been met with criticism as it excludes many, particularly migrant workers and those without permanent addresses, who previously benefited from the universal free travel. The government defends the move as a way to curb revenue losses and corruption, while critics argue it undermines the scheme’s intended purpose of empowering vulnerable groups and is a step backward.

**News Article:**

**Delhi’s Free Bus Scheme Faces Backlash Over Residency Restrictions**

**New Delhi, August 4, 2025** – The Delhi government’s revised free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons is facing criticism for its new residency requirements. The “Saheli Smart Card,” which replaces the former “pink ticket” system, now mandates proof of Delhi residency, effectively barring many non-residents from the program.

Under the previous system, all women could ride Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for free, regardless of their address. The new Smart Card requires online application, KYC verification, and proof of residency such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, and address proof.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta defended the change, stating the previous pink ticket system was prone to corruption and financially unsustainable. “The decision to restrict the Saheli Cards to Delhi residents was taken to plug revenue losses. We had to ensure that the benefits are only extended to those who are part of Delhi’s formal address system,” said a senior DTC official.

However, the move has sparked outrage among commuters, particularly migrant workers and those without permanent Delhi addresses. Many rely on the free bus service for affordable transportation to work.

“I never used DTC buses for comfort. I took them for the hour-long commute because they helped me save at least ₹3,000 a month,” said Rakhi Yadav, a sales assistant living in Noida.

Lata, a sanitation worker from Uttar Pradesh, expressed frustration, “Since 2023, we have been waiting for the Mohalla Buses to be launched. Now they have come, but we’re told we need a Delhi Aadhaar card. What about migrant workers like us who help keep this city running?”

Rajji, a transgender social worker, lamented the impact on the transgender community: “It was a huge win when we got pink tickets too. But now, insisting on residency proof limits access for so many of us who don’t have permanent homes or documents.”

Critics argue the residency requirement undermines the scheme’s intended goal of empowering women and transgender persons, turning it into an exclusionary policy. The debate raises questions about welfare access for migrant workers and the definition of “belonging” in a rapidly growing urban center. The impact of the new policy continues to be assessed as commuters grapple with the increased financial burden and limited transportation options.

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