New Delhi, October 24: A gala function will take place to kickstart the mega event of the rollout of free travel for women in Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster scheme buses. According to a Times of India report, the event will take place in Thyagaraj Stadium, where CM Arvind Kejriwal will dedicate the scheme to the women in the city. DTC Bus Service to be Free For Women in Delhi From October 29, Delhi Cabinet Approves Proposal.

Even though free travel was announced by the state earlier, it will have a ceremonial beginning on October 29. According to the report, DTC is gearing up for the scheme and the corporation will print 1.5 crore pink coloured travel passes in the initial lot.

An official quoted in the report has said that while 1 crore passes will be provided to DTC buses, 50 lakh will be given to the cluster buses. An increase in ridership is expected after the free rides for women scheme is rolled out.

In the month of August, CM Arvind Kejriwal, on Independence Day, had announced that women can travel for free on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses in Delhi from October 29. "On the day of Raksha Bandhan, I want to give a gift to our sisters. They can travel for free in all DTC and cluster buses from October 29," Kejriwal had told a gathering on August 15.

In June, Kejriwal had announced to provide free travel for women both on buses as well as Delhi Metro in a bid to encourage them to use public transport for their safety. Recently, the Delhi Assembly approved a supplementary grant of Rs 140 crore to facilitate free ride for women in DTC buses for the current fiscal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2019 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).