RAVI RANJAN TIWARY

DELHI METRO PARTNERS WITH AIRTEL PAYMENTS BANK TO LAUNCH CO-BRANDED RUPAY ‘ON-THE-GO’ NCMC CARDS In a significant step towards advancing integrated urban mobility, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Cards, enabled with NCMC (National Common Mobility Cards). These cards will enable seamless, interoperable payments across metro systems, buses and other transit networks nationwide. This announcement was made in a ceremony at the Delhi Metro headquarters attended by DMRC MD, Dr. Vikas Kumar, MD & CEO of Airtel Payments Bank Mr. Anubrata Biswas, and other senior officials from both the organisations. The co-branded cards – Debit cards and PPI–MTS (Prepaid Payment Instrument for Mass Transit Systems) Cards – will allow commuters to pay for metro travel across multiple cities and transit systems using a single open-loop card. This represents a significant upgrade from existing DMRC-issued cards, which are limited to the Delhi Metro network. The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s ‘One Nation, One Card’ vision, aimed at simplifying and unifying transit payments across the country. The cards will be available at all DMRC stations in next 10 days, ensuring easy accessibility for commuters. In addition, users can recharge their cards digitally at any time through the DMRC app or the Airtel app, significantly reducing the need to queue at stations for top-ups. Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, said, “DMRC has consistently focused on adopting innovative solutions to enhance passenger convenience. This exclusive partnership with Airtel Payments Bank and the introduction of co-branded NCMC cards will enable seamless and interoperable travel for our commuters, not only within the Delhi Metro network but also across multiple transit systems nationwide.” Mr. Anubrata Biswas, MD & CEO, Airtel Payments Bank, said, “Our partnership with DMRC reflects a shared vision to simplify and modernise urban mobility through secure, digital-first solutions. With the launch of the co-branded ‘On-the-Go’ NCMC cards, we are enabling commuters to experience seamless travel across transit systems, while advancing the larger ambition of ‘One Nation, One Card’ for India.” Existing issued cards will continue to function as usual. DMRC will continue to further promote the sale of NCMC cards going forward. This initiative marks a broader shift towards embedding digital payments seamlessly into everyday mobility, bringing together transit and banking to create a more integrated commuter experience.