Delhi Assembly Approves Grant Of Rs 290 Crore For Women's Free Rides

The Delhi Government's demand for grant of Rs 290 crore for providing free bus and metro rides to women has been passed by the Delhi Assembly. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also proposed for the deployment of marshals in Buses. For this, he tabled a proposal for a grant of Rs 142 crore. He also included supplementary demands for grant of Rs 47 crore for the regional rapid transit system corridors, which were approved with a voice of votes.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced in his Independence Day speech that DTC and cluster buses ride would be free for women from October 29.

Key Takeaways:

• A total of Rs 290 crore grants have been approved by the Delhi Assembly on Monday for providing free rides in buses and metro for women.
• Additionally, the proposal to deploy marshals in buses at a budget of Rs 142 crore and Rs 47 crore for the regional rapid transit system corridors, has been tabled.
• Rs 140 crore for free travel for women in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and cluster buses will be used, while Rs 150 crore will be used for metro trains
• As per the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Independence Day speech, the free rides would start from October 29.

Free Rides To Start From October 29

According to the supplementary demands for grants tabled by Sisodia on Monday, Rs 140 crore will be set aside by the Delhi government in order to provide free rides to women in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and the cluster buses. Another 150 crores have been set aside for free metro rides.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced in his Independence Day speech that DTC and cluster buses ride would be free for women from October 29.

Women's Safety While Commuting

In June 2019, the Delhi Government had also proposed installing CCTV cameras in the capital so as to ensure women's safety. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that this is being done as a part of the project that aims to boost the security of women in the national capital. According to him, the government has already started working towards installing 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras.

Delhi government at the beginning of June announced that it wants to make the commute easier for women in the capital by making Delhi metro free for them. The AAP, which holds a 50 percent share in the Delhi metro, along with the Central Government, plans to provide a free traveling facility on the metro and bus transport system for women in Delhi. However, DMRC officials sought at least eight months’ time to make necessary preparations, including seeking approval from the fare-fixation committee.

Read More: Five good reasons why free Delhi metro rides will benefit women across society

Delhi government has collaborated with a think tank, Delhi and Development Commission to conduct the study and prepare a plan to ensure a better travel experience for women traveling by DTC buses.

Delhi Government has been persistently in news concerning women’s safety issues. It conducted a study to understand women’s safety in public buses to bring better solutions for crimes against women, in May. Delhi government has collaborated with a think tank, Delhi and Development Commission to conduct the study and prepare a plan to ensure a better travel experience for women traveling by DTC buses. “In collaboration with experts from diverse fields, the task force will come up with innovative ideas to address issues concerning women safety and suggest ways to enhance their safety,” a government official said, TOI reported.

Picture Credit: The Tribune

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