Delhi Government to Transform Pink Tickets into DTC Aadhaar-Linked Pink Pass for Free Rides

DTC Aadhaar-linked Pink Pass will be issued in place of the pink tickets. Read more to find out details of the pink pass, how to apply, and other details.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced plans to roll out a new Aadhaar-linked Pink Pass, replacing paper tickets. 

This move ensures only Delhi-resident women and transgender passengers receive unlimited free bus rides on all DTC and Cluster buses. The revamp targets fraud, leakage, and misuse while streamlining eligibility verification and compliance.

Transport Minister Pankaj Singh has said that the government is finalising the digital and administrative framework of the Pink Pass.

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What Is the Aadhaar-Linked Pink Pass?

• Also known as “Saheli Smart Card”, the new pass operates on the NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) platform
• The card will have the user’s name and picture printed on it
• It offers unlimited free travel exclusively on DTC and Cluster bus routes for women/transgender residents aged 12 and above
• Importantly, unlike the previous non-resident “pink ticket” system, the new pink pass is Aadhaar-verified and limited to Delhi residents

DTC Aadhaar-Linked Pink Pass: How to Apply and Get the Pass

1. Registration on DTC Portal
   Applicants register online and choose a participating issuing bank
   
2. KYC Verification
   Required documents include:
   
   • Aadhaar Card
   • PAN card
   • Residential proof
   • Passport-size photograph
     
3. Card Issuance & Dispatch
   After verification, the bank prompts delivery of the pink pass to the applicant’s Delhi address via post
   
4. Activation & Use
   Once activated on DTC’s Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), the card becomes valid for free bus travel.

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Why the Change?

• Preventing Misuse
  The old paper ticket system was open to abuse — used by non-residents, generating inflated ridership numbers, and potential revenue leakage
  
• Accountability & Auditability
  An Aadhaar-linked smart pass reduces corruption and enables route-level and demographic tracking.
  
• Uniform Integration
  Adopted as part of the wider smart transport revamp in Delhi, in coordination with Metro and RRTS integration 

DTC Aadhaar-Linked Pink Pass: Timeline & Rollout

• Current Phase
  Paper pink tickets are still valid while backend systems and bank integrations are completed
  
• Phased Launch
  The government plans a gradual rollout of the Aadhaar-linked Pink Pass over coming months, no fixed date given yet
  
• Ongoing Enhancements
  The system is part of larger mobility upgrades: smart travel cards, route rationalisation, Depot AFC, and modern ISBT terminals

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Conclusion

The DTC Aadhaar-linked pink pass is a major upgrade in public transport equity and accountability. It combines end-to-end biometric verification, multi-modal integration, and digital audit trails with Delhi’s push toward smart, safe, and inclusive mobility. 

This is a definitive move from paper tokens to secure, resident-centric, and auditable smart travel — a template likely to echo across other cities soon.