The state government has made the NCMC smart card mandatory from August 1, 2026, for women, senior citizens and beneficiaries under the Amrit Senior Citizen category to avail themselves of eligible travel concessions on MSRTC buses

According to Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik, the arrangement is intended to provide pilgrims with a more organised and integrated travel experience while generating an additional source of revenue for the state-run transport corporation