Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Announces Statewide Implementation
Mumbai, June 12: In a major step towards enhancing transparency, convenience, and digital transactions in public transport services, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will make the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) Smart Card mandatory for women, senior citizens, and Amrit Senior Citizen passengers from August 1, 2026, Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced.
The state-wide registration and distribution campaign for NCMC Smart Cards has gained significant momentum. As of today, nearly 5.1 million citizens have registered for the Smart Card, while approximately 2.5 million cards have already been activated. The remaining registered beneficiaries are expected to receive and activate their cards soon. Eligible passengers have been urged to complete the process at the earliest to avoid inconvenience.
To ensure seamless distribution and easy access, the government has established more than 4,000 Smart Card distribution centres across Maharashtra. These centres are actively serving citizens in both urban and rural areas.
Minister Sarnaik emphasized that any malpractice in the distribution process will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against centres found charging fees above the prescribed amount for issuing Smart Cards. Such centres may face immediate cancellation of their distribution licences.
The NCMC Smart Card system has been introduced to ensure that women, senior citizens, and Amrit Senior Citizens can avail themselves of government travel concessions in a smooth and efficient manner. The initiative is also expected to improve transparency in ticketing operations and modernize travel management across the state transport network.
The Minister appealed to all eligible beneficiaries to obtain and activate their NCMC Smart Cards before August 1, 2026, to continue enjoying travel concessions and services without disruption.
