Kejriwal announces free metro and bus travel for women; janta (rightfully) doesn’t seem happy at all

Days after Aam Aadmi Party was swiped off from seven seats in 17th Lok Sabha Elections, Arvind Kejriwal, announced on Monday that women will be allowed to travel free of cost on all DTC buses, cluster buses, and Delhi metro trains. Something which might have been a masterstroke, came as a shock for a lot of people.

Although it hasn’t been put to effect yet, current Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal stated that officials will roll out the plan for the Delhi Metro and other public transport in the coming two-three months. The move is yet to be cleared at the Centre, but if is implemented would cost INR 700 crore this year.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have a safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices. pic.twitter.com/KVqEWDIJAS

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019

Delhi CM: Subsidy won't be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford, can purchase tickets, they needn't take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets¬ take subsidy so that others could benefit. https://t.co/QHtqfvBjiR

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2019

Also Read: #HindiIsNotTheNationalLanguage trends as Twitter roars against the draft New Educational Policy

While this will be a HUGE step if it is implemented, but the real question is –is it a huge step in the wrong direction? People are bombarding at Twitter with their reactions on this ‘outrageous’ announcement. And honestly, they’re not wrong. And for once, women are not blinded by fake feminism and agree that they don’t need free travel, they need a safe one.

#DelhiMetro #Kejriwal
Just another form of buying votes. Policues like this create more gender inequality . Always tying to portray that females are bechari and need support. Another bullshit policy

— Anamica Mehla (@Ana_Namica) June 3, 2019

1. Gender Discrimination by Kejriwal
2. #DelhiMetro not under @ArvindKejriwal ...how can he announce
3. @ArvindKejriwal promised home guards for every bus of DTC but till date no progress seen
4. CCTV still a dream https://t.co/XwMhd9zFuK

— RK Rakesh Chugh (@chugh_rk) June 3, 2019

#DelhiMetro: The twitter handle of this 'aam aadmi' says "All humans are equal..." but he cannot implement in real life because he is just an 'aam aadmi'. pic.twitter.com/mtnxmHZGGq

— Ravinder Verma (@b_RAVE_ry) June 3, 2019

And Equality goes for the toss... A girl carrying an iPhone, Gucchi bag, posh clothes will travel for free and a handicap will make his efforts to buy tickets and stand in a metro while the girl is chilling and sitting on the chair #DelhiMetro

— Sidharth Dash (@Sidharth_dash) June 3, 2019

.@ArvindKejriwal wanted to make @jetairways out of #DelhiMetro. Stay tuned for shutdown of #DelhiMetro soon.

— Kanimozhi (@kanimozhi) June 3, 2019

The announcement of Free Travel for Women in #DelhiMetro by Delhi CM #ArvindKejriwal directly hurts the fight for Women Equality.

All women should come out and oppose such regressive decision. Equality is not created by appeasement.

— Sashank Mishra (@imSashankMishra) June 3, 2019

Delhi men after free metro and bus rides for women#DelhiMetro pic.twitter.com/K6JO4hmWjm

— Yuvraj Karki (@itzyuvii) June 3, 2019

Don’t take the voters for a ride ! I’d like to pay for my metro and bus ride . Thank you very much !! #DelhiMetro

— Stutee Ghosh (@rjstutee) June 3, 2019

"I assaulted her because she was paying for her metro ride"

..said no criminal ever!#DelhiMetro @ArvindKejriwal

— commando sir (@sir_speaks) June 3, 2019

#ArvindKejriwal Promise Vs Delivery ?#DelhiMetro pic.twitter.com/kPLAQYcTIL

— Rightist Ram (@YttriumBarium) June 3, 2019

Next pending proposals
1. free shopping for women as 50% scam forces women to go to unsafe and far away places to shop.
2. free booze as lucrative can I buy you a drink is unsafe so delhi govt. will buy free drinks for all ladies
More proposals are coming#DelhiMetro

— Vainhav (@Vainhav6) June 3, 2019

Bus conductor to Male people#DelhiMetro pic.twitter.com/SnUoKRB1Mz

— Jay Saini (@jayjoyloves) June 3, 2019

Will this effort lead to make traveling in Delhi safe for women? Frankly, this might lead to more number of women opting for public transport than counter options available in the city, but will it make it safe city? Can't really say anything right now, and would wait for how the proposal is planned. But it does mean overcrowding, and it means wastage of humongous amount of government funds. And is not one of the best solution Delhi is expecting from their CM. I hope Delhi government thinks of a more fruitful solution for the problem of women’s safety.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.