The Delhi Cabinet has successfully passed the ‘DURGA’ e-auto scheme, which aims to generate self-employment opportunities specifically for women and transgender individuals. This initiative was sanctioned during a meeting led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on September 24, 2026. The programme is designed to enhance transportation methods that are both safe and environmentally friendly.

As part of the initial phase, the scheme will distribute a total of 1,300 electric rickshaws, classified as pink e-autos. Out of this allocation, 1,170 will be reserved for women, while 130 will be designated for transgender beneficiaries. An official statement indicates that applications will be processed through a specially created online portal.

Eligibility Criteria for Participants

Eligible participants include women and transgender persons aged between 20 and 40 years, who are also residents of Delhi. Key requirements stipulate that women must possess a valid voter ID, a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license, and a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge. Furthermore, the annual family income must not exceed Rs 5 lakh for the financial year 2025-26.

Once selected, the e-autos will carry distinctive ‘DURGA’ branding and will be subject to a lock-in period of three years. The scheme aims not only to empower individuals but also to address the growing need for last-mile connectivity, thereby creating employment opportunities in related sectors such as vehicle servicing, battery charging, and recycling.

Additional Government Initiatives

In conjunction with the DURGA scheme, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also unveiled the ‘Delhi PM Surya Ghar’ registration portal aimed at facilitating the installation of rooftop solar systems. This initiative is part of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which seeks to simplify solar energy adoption for Delhi residents.

The new portal, hosted at solar.delhi.gov.in, allows users to register for rooftop solar panels and gather essential information regarding subsidies, authorised vendors, and address any grievances. Registration for this scheme will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Under the PM Surya Ghar initiative, beneficiaries may receive a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 for solar systems that are a maximum of 3 kW. Additionally, the Delhi Government is set to match this subsidy, resulting in a total financial support package of Rs 1.56 lakh. This initiative is available to domestic consumers who use up to 400 units of electricity per month, enabling them to obtain rooftop solar systems without any upfront costs.

The programme also extends to group housing societies and households with smaller roof spaces. For solar installations in communal areas of these societies, the subsidy has been notably increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 11,000 per kW.

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