In order to attract more revenue, the Railways will now allow advertisers to display their products on trains in a big way.
Three south-bound Rajdhani trains have already been selected under the pilot project, which will bring Rs 75 lakh (Rs 7.5 million) a year to the railways.
"This is a new concept to attract advertisers. Advertisements can be placed outside as well as inside the coaches after a vinyl wrapping. We have finalised the contract for Rs 25 lakh (Rs 2.5 million) a year from each train," said the official.
"The advertisers will also be responsible for maintaining the coaches as part of the contract. The passengers will also be provided liquid soap, napkins, et cetera by the advertisers in the trains.
"Some leading players in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector have shown interest in availing of the new facility," said the official, adding that depending upon the response, the scheme would be extended to other trains."
The trains selected for vinyl wrapping are Trivandrum Rajdhani, Chennai Rajdhani and Bangalore Rajdhani.
Besides offering coaches for advertisers, the size of the ticket in reserved and unreserved segment is being increased to attract multicolour advertisements.
While the size of the reserved ticket was increased from 15/9 cm to 18/10 cm, the size of the unreserved tickets is also being increased from 103 mm to 120 mm to facilitate multicolour advertisements.
"The increased size ticket with multicolour advertisements printed on it will be available from next month," said a senior Northern Railway official.
"We have finalised the contract for Rs 6.6 crore (Rs 66 million) for two years," the official added.
While the Indian Railway has set a target of Rs 248.5 crore (Rs 2.485 billion) for the current financial year as advertisement revenue, for Northern Railway the target has been revised to Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million).
However, advertisements of intoxicants, cigarettes, bidis, and other tobacco products which are considered socially offensive will not be allowed.
Besides, railways have also decided to explore advertisements on reservation charts.
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