India's intelligent transport system (ITS) strategy relies on the creation of showcase projects, such as Delhi's metro rail system, that can then be emulated elsewhere. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC) was created to put in place the city's first metro line in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Delhi transport master plan provides for the construction of 320km of metro lines before 2021. DMRC awarded Thales Transportation Systems a contract for the delivery of an advanced ticketing system. A contactless smart card solution was selected for regular travellers, with recyclable tokens for single journeys. The smart card technology is less susceptible to the high levels of pollution in the city than magnetic strip technology. The access gates have been designed to allow easy access by wheelchair users and blind people. Lines 1, 2 and 3 have been completed on time with extensions to Line 3 scheduled to open in November 2006.
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