The scheme, announced by the Chief Minister’s Office and chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, will allocate a maximum of 90 electric autos to women and 10 to transgender persons in each of the city’s revenue districts, ensuring a broad geographic spread.
According to the cabinet statement, the initiative aims to provide "dignified self‑employment and livelihood opportunities" while enhancing women’s safety on the streets, increasing transgender participation in the transport sector, and promoting clean, last‑mile connectivity in the capital.
Applicants will apply through a dedicated online portal and must meet strict eligibility criteria: Delhi residency, age between 20 and 40, a valid voter ID, an LMW driving licence and a PSV badge. Families must not own any registered transport vehicle or three‑wheeler, and household income must not exceed ₹5 lakh per annum. Women with more than three children are excluded, and transgender candidates must hold a transgender certificate issued by the district magistrate, with the same licence and income requirements applying.
Each e‑auto will be subject to a three‑year lock‑in period during which it cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, a measure intended to ensure long‑term commitment to the scheme’s social and environmental goals.
The DURGA scheme represents Delhi’s latest push to integrate gender‑inclusive policies with its broader clean‑energy transport agenda, building on earlier efforts to expand electric vehicle usage across the city.