Delhi Government Announces Free Travel For Women & We Are Not Sure If It's A Boon Or Bane?
Before the Assembly Election that would be held in the capital, early in the next year, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced an aid that will change the lives of women in Delhi. In a few months, women will be able to travel free of cost on the public transportation of the city - including DTC buses, cluster buses and Delhi Metro.
ANI confirmed the news in a tweet that read:
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: I've given one-week time to officials to make a detailed proposal - for both DTC & metro - on how & when can this be implemented. We're making an effort to start this within 2-3 months. We're also seeking suggestions from people, regarding implementation pic.twitter.com/56veDUj9nz
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019
As per the reports, the plan will be implemented within the next 2-3 months once the Delhi cabinet passes the scheme. The Delhi Transportation Minister Kailash Gehlot has spoken to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare a detailed report in a week after which a proposal will be brought in the cabinet. The Delhi government will apparently bear the expenses of this project which would be Rs 700 crores this year.
Interestingly Kejriwal has stated that this subsidy will help ensure 'the safety of women in the capital'. He furthermore confirmed that this decision won't be imposed on any anyone. Women who can afford to buy the tickets will be encouraged to do so.
However, within minutes of the decision, the Indian citizens have seemed to share their opinions on Twitter. While some are totally good with it, that transportation won't be a reason anymore for holding the women back. They are in support of this progressive move that would help provide mobility to women who are unable to afford it.
3. No fares means more women will access such transport, which means that it will automatically get safer for other women to use it as well. The more women that are out there in public spaces makes it safer for all women to be in public spaces.
3/n #DelhiMetro
— Vandita Morarka (@vanditamorarka) June 4, 2019
There also happens to be a group who feels that it is simply a move by AAP to stick a hand out in the upcoming General elections. The other group of feminists and men are loud and clear that this move won't really help in empowering women. There have also been concerns that this move will drain the city's treasury. However, the biggest criticism of the move is that the scheme happens to be more gender-specific rather than targeting the underprivileged sections of society.
@ArvindKejriwal, Strong and Independent women of the Nation will standoff against this charter regarding free entries in the metro rails. They earn, they can pay for their travellings. This is provoking inequality. This is erasing the definition of #feminism. #dmrc #delhimetro
— Aditi Sharma (@zevaaditi) June 2, 2019
Kejriwal's last populistic decisions is calculated gamble to get at least two seats in Delhi and save some respect through this final drama.
Similar to a vision of ambitious batsman ,who is trying to score thirteen runs and has only two balls to face.#DelhiMetro
— Kapil Lodha (@KapilLodha7) June 4, 2019
However, we would agree with the fact that women from the economically weaker sections of society would now be able to use the services of metro and it would also be available as a mode of transportation to many more women. As per the reports, around 30 lakh people in Delhi travel by metro and 42 lakh by buses on a daily basis.
#DelhiMetro is a trending hashtag on Twitter right now with people voicing their opinions on the new subsidy for women. According to us, even there might be a few glitches in the scheme at this point, this move will help ease the life of a lot of Delhi female residents. Public mobility is a step towards the economic mobility of women to step out of their domestic spheres and work.
Cover Picture Credits - NewsX
Text By- GirlStyle IN
