NOIDA: The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) on Wednesday said the smart card it issues will be eligible for use in Delhi metro networks and vice-versa “in future” but did not spell out a time frame.The assurance from NMRC, which has been facing questions on why its ticketing system isn’t seamless with Delhi metro’s, is courageous because, for this to happen, DMRC will have to overhaul its ticketing system and necessitate replacement of over 30 lakh DMRC smart cards that have been issued.Launching NMRC’s travel mobile application, its managing director Alok Tandon said: “One doubt was in your minds that whether one ticket can help a commuter travel in the DMRC train. I would like to clarify that DMRC is in the process of upgrading its system. Once they upgrade their systems, our smart cards will become interchangeable but it will take some time.”DMRC did not comment. “The NMRC card will be applicable in NMRC buses along with the metro corridor (Aqua Line). However, for DMRC travel, as of now, a new ticket will be required,” Tandon said.The Aqua Line’s ticketing system is an open-loop one since it can be used as a card to make other purchases as well. This will make the transition of DMRC’s system, if it happens, a time-consuming one. “The open loop system will require a link with a bank and the (DMRC) card will have to be upgraded to a banking card. This will result in replacement of cards but will take at least two years,” said an NMRC official.This integration, however, will be limited to the smart card. The DMRC token cannot be used in the NMRC system and the NMRC ticket cannot be used in DMRC. So, a person who doesn’t want to stop at any ticket counters during a ride on the Aqua and any other DMRC line will need to purchase a smart card.While aligning the metro cards is a long-term plan, NMRC has started working on the immediate issue of providing commuters connectivity between the Sector 51 station (Aqua Line) and Sector 52 station (Blue Line extension, which is likely to be launched soon), which are 350 metres apart but do not have connected terminals. NMRC said it will start a free shuttle bus and e-rickshaw service between the two stations soon.TOI had earlier reported that the proposed skywalk between the two stations has come up against a technical hurdle because of a 1000 sqm commercial plot between the two stations. Tandon said the Blue Line extension from Noida City Centre to Electronic City “is going to open soon”. Around 80% of the cost of building the line has been paid by the Noida Authority, he said.While DMRC managing director Mangu Singh told media on the day of the Aqua Line’s commissioning (Jan 25) that the Blue Line extension will open by February-end, NMRC officials said they expected the line to only open in March.

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