Sun Sep 14 15:50:59 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Delhi government is nearing approval for a proposal to provide free bus travel to transgender individuals on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses. This follows a High Court order from October 2022 directing the government to consider recognizing transgender individuals as a “third gender” in bus tickets and extending free travel. The proposal has faced delays, with the Transport Minister requesting revisions to align it with the existing free travel scheme for women. A contempt petition was filed due to the delays, but the court has since disposed of it, granting the petitioner the right to revive proceedings if the proposal is rejected or stalled. Members of the transgender community have voiced concerns about the prolonged wait, citing instances of harassment and discrimination when attempting to access existing free travel programs for women.

**News Article:**

**Delhi Government Nears Approval for Free Bus Travel for Transgender Persons After Court Pressure**

**NEW DELHI (Sept. 14, 2025) –** The Delhi government is in the final stages of approving a proposal that would grant free bus travel to transgender individuals on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses, according to an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court. This development comes after a 2022 court order mandating the government to consider recognizing a “third gender” on bus tickets and extending free travel benefits.

The government’s Joint Commissioner of the Transport Department stated in the affidavit that the proposal is awaiting Cabinet approval. However, the process has been delayed. The Transport Minister initially returned a draft of the proposal, requesting that the scheme mirror the existing “pink ticket” system used for women’s free travel.

The delays prompted a contempt petition, alleging “wilful disobedience” of the 2022 court order. The court has since disposed of the petition, but granted the petitioner, Amit Juyal, a member of the transgender community, the right to revive the proceedings should the proposal be rejected or further delayed.

Juyal expressed frustration with the slow pace of implementation, noting that more than two years have passed since the initial court order. He highlighted instances where transgender individuals seeking to utilize the existing women’s free travel program have faced mockery and accusations of misrepresentation by bus marshals.

“It has been more than two years, and no action has been taken,” Juyal told *The Hindu*. “Bus marshals often mock transwomen when they ask for pink tickets and accuse them of pretending to be women merely to avail the free travel facility.”

The High Court had previously reprimanded the DTC for its inaction in April 2023, issuing a “last opportunity” to comply with the initial court order. The current advancement of the proposal signals a potential breakthrough in addressing the long-standing issue of transportation accessibility and recognition for the transgender community in Delhi. The government estimates a revised proposal will be submitted within a week. The article originally appeared on *The Hindu*.

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