India, Oct. 18 -- From movie tickets and stadium entry to concerts and open-ground events, scanning a QR code has become an integral part of how urban India moves. This same habit has found its place in the daily Delhi Metro commute as well, with the growing popularity of the Virtual Smart Card on the Delhi Metro Sarthi app. Powered by Autope, the app offers commuters a phone-first way to access the Delhi Metro network and move around the city with minimal friction. The Virtual Smart Card feature allows users to access a rechargeable QR code on their smartphones for entry and exit at AFC gates, eliminating the need to carry a separate physical card. For college students and young professionals accustomed to managing almost every aspect of their day through a few taps on their phones, the convenience of having metro access readily available on the same device makes the metro an attractive choice for public transportation. Since January 2026, Sarthi has recorded 11.38 lakh virtual smart card generation, with repeat usage rising by about 215% over the last nine months. The platform has also facilitated 107.09 lakh QR-based transactions during the period, reflecting how commuters are integrating phone-based metro access into their daily lives. For Autope, the Virtual Smart Card is one part of a broader effort to make digital mobility more accessible. The Sarthi app also offers QR tickets, first- and last-mile connectivity, journey planning, locker facilities, station information, and more, bringing multiple aspects of the metro journey onto a single platform. Moreover, through recent measures to enhance the RRTS and IRCTC ticket-booking experience, the company is looking to increase awareness of these services and encourage more commuters to explorethe app. "Technology creates real value when it solves everyday problems in a simple, intuitive way. Our focus with Sarthi is to give commuters convenient digital options while continually improving the experience based on how people use the platform. The engagement with Virtual Smart Cards is encouraging, and we see an opportunity to build on this momentum through better services and stronger commuter outreach," said Pankaj Gambhir, Managing Director, Autope. As smartphone-led services become increasingly embedded in everyday routines, Autope is looking to build on Sarthi's growing engagement and make digital convenience a more integral part of the Delhi Metro experience.htc...