Row over Pink Card: CM dismisses 1-hour limit claims

A political row has emerged in Delhi over the use of the women’s Pink Card in DTC buses, with the BJP alleging that misleading information is being spread to create confusion among commuters. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat accused the Aam Aadmi Party of promoting misinformation through certain videos and warned women against falling for what they described as a “false narrative.”

The controversy centres on claims that once a Pink Card is tapped in a bus, it cannot be used again for the next hour. Rejecting this, Sachdeva said the claim is entirely baseless and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. He said BJP Mahila Morcha workers conducted a test by switching buses and were able to use the Pink Card multiple times within a short duration, including three successful taps within 30 minutes. He urged women commuters to continue using the Pink Card or Pink Ticket without hesitation across DTC services, including electric buses. He also noted that Pink Tickets will remain available for the next few months to ensure convenience for those who have not yet received their cards. In addition, he said efforts are being made to expand the issuance of Pink Cards by taking the process closer to the public through outreach initiatives. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier also refuted the claims, calling them rumours. She clarified that the Pink Smart Card is fully operational and can be used even when changing buses within minutes. She stated that the suggestion of a one-hour restriction is incorrect and misleading.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the rumours are being spread for political purposes to create unnecessary confusion among women commuters. She maintained that the Pink Card scheme, designed to benefit women in Delhi, is functioning smoothly and without any such limitations.