Ahmedabad, March 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the 'One Nation One Card' programme, which would allow citizens across the nation to use their debit or credit cards as a mode of payment while using public transportation across the nation. Officials privy to the project have confirmed that the card could be used for paying the commutation charges on any mode of transportation. Here's all you need to know about the initiative:

The new feature has been enabled in all the new credit and debit cards issued by banks. The cards have been equipped with special codes which would allow commuters to use them for paying at Point of Sale (PoS) machines installed at counters of bus, railway and metro stations. Railways Launches Portal For Live Tracking of Trains.

The cards could also be used akin to the Metro Rail smart cards to enter a platform. The automatic fare collection counters (AFCs) have also been designed to read the new cards, said a senior central government official.

PM Modi, while launching the project, said it has been possible due to the emphasis on 'Digital India' by his government. "After many attempts, One Nation-One Card will become a reality. You will be able to withdraw money, will be able to shop and travel in a metro or use other means of transportation, using a common mobility card," the Prime Minister said.

According to experts, there may be teething issues in the next few days but the project would be shortly successful among short-distance commuters who are stuck in serpentine queues.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant believes that adequate preparations have been made to ensure the smooth implementation of the One Nation One Card project. "Several agencies are involved in this including Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, banks, and Urban Development Ministry. Huge amount of technology work has been done. We have had several rounds of meetings and all ministries are involved," he had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2019 09:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).