Smart card to enable metro travel, shopping

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 1

The Union Ministry of Urban Development has come out with a Smart National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) model to enable seamless travel by different metros and other transport systems across the country besides retail shopping and purchases.

Union Minister of Urban Development M.Venkaiah Naidu has approved the ‘EMV Open Loop Card with stored value’ in this regard, sources said.

The minister had set up a committee last year under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Urban Development ministry) to recommend a card which is inter-operable across different transport systems in the country and which can also be used as a credit and debit card. According to the sources, after extensive study of various models being followed across the world, the Committee has recommended the EMV Open Loop Card with stored value-based model. The committee’s recommendation was approved by the Minister.

The Smart Common Mobility Payment Card addresses the deficiencies associated with other cards being used in Singapore and other countries. This card meets travel needs based on stored value of money and can be used for travelling by any means of transport and also enables account-based retail applications. This card does away with the need for carrying separate cards for banking and transit requirements.

Globally, there is no nationwide common card except in Singapore where in inter-operability is confined to city only. The Committee, hence, recommended EMV Open Loop Card with stored value for use across the country.

The ministry has decided to task the National Payments Corporation of India with indigenous development and management of clearing and settlement of payments, simulating cards, terminals and network, a support base of vendors for providing certified tools, cards, terminals and other services. This is in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

C-DAC will develop the standards and hardware for metro gates along with related ecosystems. Funding of Rs 4.47 crore has also been approved in this regard, the sources said.