MUMBAI: Mumbai will soon be the first city in the country to launch ‘One Nation One Card’ system where commuters can use their normal bank debit card to use any mode of transport.
In a meeting between representatives of various ministers held in the last week of April, it was agreed that the pilot project would be implemented in the city.
The project is based upon the guidelines of Urban Development Ministry. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, while inaugurating the Ahmedabad Metro in March this year announced the scheme.
Under the scheme, the card will have a wallet with a specific amount of money, which can be used for travelling as well as retail purchase.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the railways and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and other transport agencies are unanimously working to implement Integrated Transportation System (ITS).
As per the officials, “In the first phase, major transport operators such as Railways, Metro, and BEST will be included, while in the second phase it will also be extended for payment of tolls at the nakas on highways.”
MMRDA has floated tenders on Public-Private-Partnership basis to implement the ITS.An official of the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation said, “All upcoming construction projects are being planned to be ITS-compliant. Besides, we are in the process of sending a detailed plan on the mobility card to the railway board for its approval.”