Delhi CM launches Vidya Vahini scheme, distributes 3,000 bicycles to Class 9 girls

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Vidya Vahini scheme and handed bicycles to Class 9 girls in Delhi government schools. The rollout is aimed at making school travel safer, improving attendance and cutting dropout rates.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched the 'Vidya Vahini' scheme (Photo: X/@gupta_rekha)Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched the 'Vidya Vahini' scheme, under which over 3,000 Class 9 girl students from government schools received bicycles in the first phase. The government plans to distribute bicycles to around 1.40 lakh girl students across the national capital in a phased manner.Launching the initiative at the East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex, Gupta said the scheme aims to make school commutes safer and more convenient for girls, while boosting attendance and reducing dropout rates.Interacting with the students, the chief minister said the bicycles would not only ensure easier access to schools but also become "a medium of dignity" for young girls by enabling them to travel independently and easing parents' concerns about their safety. "We are pleased to provide 'Vidya Vahini' bicycles to Class 9 girl students of Delhi government schools. It will become a medium of dignity and help them safely commute to schools," Gupta said.Education Minister Ashish Sood, Union Minister of State and Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi and senior officials of the Education Department were present at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Sood said the initiative has been designed to address transportation challenges faced by many girls after they enter Class 9. He added that the education, safety and empowerment of girls remain among the Delhi government's key priorities. GOVT LIKELY TO EXTEND DTC PINK TICKETS TILL AUGUST 15The Delhi government is likely to continue the existing pink ticket facility for women travelling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses until August 15, giving commuters additional time to obtain the new Pink Saheli smart card, senior officials said on Friday.Under an earlier directive issued by the Transport Department, the Pink Saheli smart card was scheduled to become mandatory from August, replacing the paper-based pink tickets used to avail free bus travel. "We plan to extend the pink ticket facility till August 15 to give some more time to women travellers to get the Pink Saheli smart card," a senior official said.According to officials, around 17 lakh Pink Saheli cards have been distributed so far. The government aims to significantly increase this number by the end of August, after which the smart card is expected to become compulsory for eligible women commuters seeking free travel on DTC buses.Concerned over the slow pace of adoption, the Delhi Transport Corporation has launched a special awareness drive across its bus network, encouraging women passengers to apply for the smart card.Officials said the government has decided to gradually phase out the paper-based pink ticket system and transition to a digital, smart card-based mechanism for availing the benefit."All eligible women under the scheme may obtain the Pink Saheli smart card from the notified centres and counters as per the directions issued by the Transport Department and DTC from time to time," officials said.To facilitate the transition, the Delhi government has established 50 authorised centres across the national capital for issuing Pink Saheli smart cards.- EndsWith agency inputsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 19:39 IST