Ahead of the Assembly Election that is due in the capital city early next year, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced free travel in Delhi metro, DTC buses and cluster buses for women. ANI confirmed the news in a tweet that said:
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have a safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices. pic.twitter.com/KVqEWDIJAS
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot has spoken to DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) and DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) to submit a proposal in a week. According to reports, the plan is to implement the same within the next 2-3 months once the Delhi cabinet passes the scheme. The Delhi government will bear all the expenses of the project.
Furthermore, Kejriwal has confirmed that this subsidy won’t be imposed on anyone. Women who can afford to buy tickets are encouraged to do so.
Delhi CM: Subsidy won’t be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford, can purchase tickets, they needn’t take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets¬ take subsidy so that others could benefit. https://t.co/QHtqfvBjiR
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
“Right now our concern is the safety of women. There are questions regarding the metro, but we will let you know how the proposal evolves at every step,” said Kejriwal during today’s press conference about the scheme.
Meanwhile, Indian citizens are serving up their opinions on Twitter. While some are all for it with the opinion that finally, transportation won’t be a reason holding our women back.
But there are several women and men, known to be loud and proud feminists, who are calling it a token move that won’t help really help empower women. The counter-argument to which is that they might not be keeping in mind, that working women from the economically weaker sections of society would now be able to use the services of the metro. It would make the mode of transport available to so many more women.
A large number of women are not allowed to go out of the house – for studies, jobs, or other reasons, because their families can’t afford safe transport. The free travel offered by Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal will enable these girls to step out. #AAP4EaseOfLiving #DelhiMetro https://t.co/hTuk2HvnWy
— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) June 3, 2019
The majority has contrasting views such as:
None of my business since it isn’t my state or city, but what has free travel on metro and buses for women in Delhi have to do with their safety?
— Mohan Sinha🇮🇳 (@Mohansinha) June 3, 2019
Pure election gimmick! Free travel has nothing to do with safety. People misbehave in metro too. If you want to make metro free, make it to poor people irrespective of gender! #DelhiMetro pic.twitter.com/DL6ppIUtZB
— Lily Grover (@DiarybyLily) June 3, 2019
It should be given to those who deserve. Like in Karnataka, when they implemented free bus ride for Students in BMTC.. There’s a difference! And 6000 is given to certain farmers who are below BPL level! check the criteria first..#DelhiMetro
— Vikalp (@AccountingCrook) June 3, 2019
#DelhiMetro is the trending hashtag today on Twitter with people, from not just Delhi but all over the country, voicing their opinions. What is yours?
According to reports, around 30 lakh people in Delhi commute by metro and 42 lakh by buses every day.
Featured Image: DMRC
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