Delhi Metro to accept old-high denomination notes till Saturday

Delhi Metro on Wednesday announced that notes of denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 will be accepted at all its stations till the midnight of November 11.

Delhi Metro commuters faced a harrowing time on Wednesday due to shortage of Rs 100 notes, even as DMRC accepted notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination for travel card recharges in lump sum.

Shakilur Rahman, 45, who travels from Wazirabad to Nehru Place for work, said: “I am only left with Rs 300 (three Rs 100 notes) in my pocket, and we have no reserve amount at home. At Metro, I can’t get my card recharged for a lower amount.”

“As per the Finance Ministry, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would be acceptable for 72 hours, i.e., till midnight of November 11 at all Metro stations for token and card purchase or recharge.

However, there is a shortage of Rs 100 notes in our coffer as well, so we are not in a position to give back the change,” said a senior DMRC official. 

The customer care centres at Metro stations are accepting higher denomination currency notes for card recharge, but with riders. 

“Our minimum card recharge is for Rs 200 otherwise, but in view of shortage of Rs 100 notes, we are only accepting a recharge of Rs 500 in lump sum, paid through the note. Also, for commuters, with zero or negative balance in their cards, can tender a Rs 1,000 note,” a DMRC staff said.

Another staff member at the busy Central Secretariat station, who sits at the token counter, added: “We are not saying no to anyone, bringing a Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 note, but how do we give back the change, we are out of Rs 100 notes.”