Delhi Plans 1300 Pink E-Autos for Women & Transgender Drivers

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 12 October 2026

The Delhi government is set to roll out 1,300 pink electric autorickshaws under the DURGA E-Auto scheme, marking a positive step towards providing women and transgender individuals with livelihood opportunities and enhancing last-mile connectivity and the safety of women commuters. The initiative will also delve into app-based bookings, enabling passengers to reserve these vehicles via ride-hailing apps.

The government announced that it will consult ride-hailing firms to exempt drivers from the scheme from onboarding and subscription fees. The companies could agree to make the vehicles available for hire on a commuter's mobile phone, instead of searching for a ride down the road or at auto stands.

Key Highlights

• Delhi plans 1,300 pink electric autos for women and transgender drivers
• Women will receive 1,170 vehicles, while transgender applicants get 130
• App-based bookings and charging facilities aim to improve safer travel

The scheme is designed to ensure the safety and convenience of last mile travelling, especially for women commuters going to and from Metro stations in the early morn and late evening. The scheme aims to fill the ‘last mile' gap between public transport hubs and people's homes and workplaces by offering an alternative mode of transport.

The Delhi Transport Department has also written to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to request separate parking and charging stations at the metro and Namo Bharat stations. These facilities would enable electric vehicles to function and make them more accessible for drivers.

The initiative comes amid wider discussions around women's safety in app-based transport. A few days back, the National Commission for Women issued guidelines for ride-hailing services, which includes more stringent verification of drivers, an addition of a “women driver” option for women travelling alone, if available.

On 23rd September, the Delhi Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta approved the DURGA E-Auto Scheme. In the first phase, 1,170 EV autorickshaws will be allocated to women, while 130 will be allotted to transgender people. Selected beneficiaries will be able to own and operate the vehicles, creating opportunities to earn an income through commercial transport services.

The vehicles will be distributed across Delhi's 13 revenue districts. Each district will have a maximum allocation of 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender applicants.

Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said “the scheme was intended to help women and transgender persons earn independently while increasing their participation in the transport sector. The initiative features job creation and work to increase the availability of EVs in daily urban use”.

Delhi's EV Policy 2026 also provides incentives for purchase. The policy offers a car owners' subsidy of Rs 50,000 for the first year of electric vehicle registration, under specific terms and conditions. The government, however, hasn't disclosed the exact cost for beneficiaries to buy their vehicles.

If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available vehicles in a district, allotments will be decided through an online lottery. Selected applicants will receive Letters of Intent, while registered owners will be issued identity cards, DURGA jackets and caps.

Beneficiaries may also qualify for purchase incentives under Delhi's EV Policy 2026. The policy provides an incentive of Rs 50,000 for eligible electric autos registered during the first year, subject to applicable conditions. However, the government has not yet specified the final amount beneficiaries will need to pay to acquire their vehicles.

Delhi previously attempted a similar initiative in 2022, when 1,406 electric auto permits were reserved for women. During the first round, however, just 743 women had applied, leading the authorities to ask for re-application.

The latest scheme has been announced to be a two-stage study for the impact it is having on beneficiaries' income and livelihoods. The results are likely to be used for assessing the impact of the program on women's employment, transgender inclusion and access to income generating opportunities in the transport sector in Delhi.