The Kolkata Metro Railway has been witnessing an unprecedented growth in the development of infrastructure and capacity expansion of its network in addition to adding some extra Moolah into its revenue basket from advertisements and branding.
According to official information, the Metro Railway has offered Station Branding Rights of seven Metro stations to corporate houses, Banks, Health Care Institutions, Insurance Companies, Private Universities. Out of these, five stations of North-South Metro, namely, Dumdum, Noapara, Belgachia, Esplanade and Park Street, and two stations of East-West Metro, namely, Bengal Chemical & Sealdah (which will be operational very shortly). A tender was floated on 19.08.2021, inviting corporate houses to participate in it through open tender. The duration of the contract will be of 5 years.
It is Metro has earned Rs 3.65 crore in the first year by offering the station branding rights of these stations. The Metro Smart Cards have also been branded by two private companies from which the Metro has earned Rs 20.65 lacs. So far, 11 Metro stations have been co-branded.
It may be noted that the Kolkata Metro Railways offers station branding rights to corporate along with permission to add their brand names and logo (prefixed/suffixed) to the station name at all places where the station name is displayed. They are allowed to put their brand logos and names at all the entry and exit gates of the stations. Corporate houses are also able to utilize prime and prominent spaces (of about 1500 sq. ft. at all six stations except about 530 sq. ft. at Belgachia at the concourse and platform levels, on platform screen doors, pillar wraps, entry/exit gates wherever possible without affecting and infringing existing Railway installations and structures for branding/advertising.
In addition, corporate entities are being granted the rights of putting their kiosks for promotions/campaigns at the most prominent and exclusive floor spaces at the stations and branding of stations entry/exit structure as well as the inside.
The Metro Railway has already given station branding rights of Salt Lake Sector V, Salt Lake Stadium, Karunamoyee, Shovabazar Sutanuti, Chandni Chowk, Baranagar, Phoolbagan, City Centre stations to different big Commercial Corporate Houses/Associations. Branding of AFC-PC gates of North-South Corridor has also successfully been completed for a period of 2 years. The Metro has generated a revenue of Rs 73.50 lacs from the branding rights of 350 gates of the stations. Apart from this, 52 Card Balance Checking Terminals (CBCT) of all the 26 North-South Metro stations have also been branded which has helped Metro Railway to earn Rs.12.48 lacs.
Moreover, as per the agreement with a private concern, Power Bank Rental Towers have been installed at 24 Metro stations from Noapara to Kavi Subhas. The Metro has earned Rs 12 lacs in 1 year.
