Delhi government launches DURGA e-auto scheme for women and transgenders

The Delhi government has approved the DURGA (Driving, Upliftment and Rozgar for Women and Transgender) E-Auto Scheme, an initiative designed to provide self-employment opportunities through green mobility. In its first phase, the scheme will allocate 1,300 pink electric autos, with 1,170 reserved for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries.

Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh stated that the program aims to foster economic independence and increase participation in the transport sector while promoting cleaner urban mobility. To support operations, the Transport Department has requested dedicated parking and charging infrastructure from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) at various transit stations.

Applications will be managed through a digital portal developed by the National Informatics Centre. District-level committees, chaired by District Magistrates, will scrutinize applications. If eligible applicants exceed the quota in a specific district, a transparent online draw of lots will be conducted to determine allocation.