No more queues: Metro launches online recharge

Commuters travelling in Delhi Metro will no longer have to stand in queues to recharge travel smart cards. They can recharge these online and get an update in add value machines (AVM) installed at Metro stations, an official said Thursday.

"Commuters can visit the following links www.delhimetrorail.com or www.dmrcsmartcard.com, for online recharge. After one gets the card recharge, they need to physically validate their recharge by using a ticket reader cum add value machine present in Metro stations," said Delhi Metro managing director Mangu Singh.

According to Delhi Metro, the commuter has to log on to any one of the two website (www.delhimetrorail.com and www.dmrcsmartcard.com) and click either quick top up or e-services section and enter their smart card identity number, the amount to be recharged and email id. Any credit or debit card can be used for secure payment.

After completing the online recharge process, the commuter can check it in the ticker reader cum AVM installed on selected metro stations to complete the recharge process.

"The machine is touch screen-based, which provides information about the amount available and the last recharge information. As of now, 39 add value machine are installed in 13 Metro station," the Metro official said.

The minimum transaction amount will be Rs.100 and maximum value to recharge the travel card is Rs.1,000 per card. At present, tokens and smart cards can be purchased or recharged only by paying cash at the specified counters, machines or customer care centres at Metro stations.

"The upcoming facility will not only help people avoid the unnecessary long queues. This system also aims reduce cash transactions at the ticket counters," Singh said.

Nearly 70 perent of Metro commuters use smart cards, almost 17,000 smart cards are sold every day from various station.Currently, about one crore Metro smart cards are in circulation.