Not forcing commuters to go cashless: Metro

Facing backlash over its plan to make ten stations “cashless”, Delhi Metro on Saturday said the plan would not strip commuters of choice as there will be options of using cash in Ticket Vending Machines and counters.

Metro also clarified that mobile wallet company Paytm was awarded a contract in this regard through an open tender process and that more such companies will soon be roped in to provide multiple options to passengers.

The statement came following outrage on social media over the plan announced yesterday. Even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal retweeted posts on Twitter, criticising the move. One particular post by columnist Pradeep Magazine, “Buy tickets only thru PayTm in 10 Delhi metro stations. Isn’t this illegal. Giving no choice. Going cashless by force”, was shared by hundreds on the microblogging site.

“Regarding Cashless transactions at 10 stations through PayTM only, it is to mention that PayTM is only one of the methods available in DMRC for facilitating such transactions and not the only method.

“Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and POS (point of sale) machines are also available at these stations,” the statement said.