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With social distancing and contactless payments becoming the new norm in the post-pandemic world, Delhi Metro recently announced that it is planning to set up quick response (QR) codes for booking tickets. For this, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has invited private companies and startups to bid for contactless ticketing systems. 

DMCR’s executive director told the Economic Times that it has invited expressions of interest for installations of QR code stickers, EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa)-based ticketing systems and RuPay-based payments to upgrade its existing automatic fare collection system. 

This upgrade needs to be in line with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) standard model as specified by the ministry of housing and urban affairs so that the technology is scalable across all Delhi Metro stations and allied properties, including transit operators, retail outlets and parking lots and other facilities. 

This also comes at the back of ‘one nation one mobility’ or NCMC, which was launched in December last year, with an aim to provide contactless experience to Indian citizens at many international airports. Airports in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other cities, were the first to incorporate this tech-based solution to ensure social distancing. For instance, Bengaluru airport management — BAIL — had come up with a unique solution to ensure contactless journey for passengers from pre-entry check to security check and boarding. 

Delhi Metro which was shut during the pandemic for about six months from April last year, resumed operations in September 2020 . The authorities had mandated Aarogya Setu app for passengers, along with precautionary measures like face masks, temperature checks and usage of hand sanitisers. 

Pre-Covid, DMRC had signed a deal with Maxima Digital and Techno Sat Comm Consortium to offer free high-speed internet services on Delhi Metro trains for the first time in India.