Only Paytm, cards allowed at 10 Delhi Metro stations from January 1

Keeping up with the trend of cashless transactions, the Delhi Metro is planning to allow only digital payment methods for recharging smart cards and sale of tokens at 10 of its stations.

The facility which would be available from January 1 onwards would have payment options through Paytm mobile e-wallets and debit/credit cards for the purchase of tokens and smart card recharge.

“The commuters at these stations will be required to scan the QR code at the station with Paytm app on their mobile phones. This will send a message to the token vendor or the customer care operator, who will then issue the token or recharge the card with the desired amount,” said Mangu Singh, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), MD, on Friday.

For exigencies, initially, at least one counter with cash option will remain open at these stations.

The 10 Metro stations have been chosen based on the footfall and category of travellers. “These stations have a major footfall of smart card holders which accounts for at least 70%. Besides, it also has adequate mobile connectivity,” an official said.

These stations — Rohini East and Rohini West on the Red Line; MG Road Station on the Yellow Line; Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Nirman Vihar, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri West, and Noida Sector-15 on the Blue Line; and Nehru Place and Kailash Colony on the Violet Line.

Refunds, too, will also be done through Paytm accounts instead of cash and users will receive the refunded amount within four days in their Paytm wallets.

Speaking at the 14th anniversary of the Delhi Metro, Singh also said parts of the existing corridors are being overhauled to fix wear and tear that might have occurred over the years. On Sunday, for example, track maintenance work on the line going towards Dwarka would be conducted. Owing to this, train frequency would slightly be affected from 12pm to 3pm between Yamuna Bank and Indraprastha Metro station.