From April 1, Delhi Metro smart cards would become non-refundable. According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the decision has been taken in order to comply with RBI guidelines, and also to make the smart cards inter-operable.
Not just the smart cards sold after April 1, but the ones already in circulation, too, would become non-refundable. The passengers will be given a sunset period from March 1 to 31 — during which they can take refunds for their smart cards from Metro stations.
For both old and new cards, post April 1, only the security deposit shall be returned on surrender of the cards, after deduction of relevant charges.
The existing rules will determine the fate of unreadable or defunct cards. Also, the maximum recharge value on a smart card has been capped at Rs 2,000.
Here’s what the commuters have to say.
Subhash Kanti, a resident of Sector 14, says, “This is a good move by Delhi Metro. These new cards would help the system in creating and exchanging data.”
Prabhakar Gautam, RWA member of Dwarka Kunj Apartments, Sector 12, says, “Raising the maximum recharge value will not make any difference. But the decision to make Metro smart cards non-refundable needed some reviewing, as it would impact all commuters.”
SK Goel, general secretary of Dwarka Forum, and a resident of Shivam Apartments, adds, “The decision to go the non-refundable way should be reviewed in terms of its impact on consumers. Suppose I recharge the card with Rs 2,000 and I then want to return it after some time, I should ideally get the remaining amount back. Metro can deduct the processing fee, of course.”
