Nagpur latest Indian city to adopt smart cards

Nagpur, the third largest city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, will become the latest location to use smart cards for registering vehicles, when its Regional Transport Office (RTO) starts rolling out the technology in the next fortnight.

Smart cards are already in use in other parts of Maharashtra, with Nagpur the eleventh location to offer the service to vehicle owners. Initially, cards will be issued by Delhi-based Shonk Technologies for private vehicles, two-wheelers and cars. Public transport and tourist vehicles may be added to the programme at a later date.

An estimated 200-250 vehicles are registered in the city each day, and the new form of documentation should help reduce bureaucracy.

The cards will store details of the vehicle sale, tax receipts and insurance details, and will also include a photo of the vehicle’s owner.