NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced its plan to extend co-branding rights to 165 stations across nine lines of the Delhi Metro in a bid to generate additional revenue. This strategic move follows a successful stakeholder interaction session aimed at exploring innovative ways to raise funds for the transportation giant.
Under this initiative, the chosen licensee’s brand will be integrated with the metro station’s name, either as a prefix or suffix, while station walls may also be adorned with the brand’s distinct colors. Renowned stations such as New Delhi, Nehru Place, Kashmere Gate, Ashram, Khan Market, Vasant Vihar, Hauz Khas, Janpath, Greater Kailash, Dilli Haat, and RK Puram are among the prominent locations available for co-branding. Notably, DMRC has already granted branding rights to more than 40 stations on its network in recent years.
The licensee will be granted up to 4,000 square feet of branding space within the station premises, including the external facade. This space may accommodate canopies, retail kiosks, and other branding elements, contingent upon the station’s category. DMRC is also considering the possibility of featuring the co-branded station names in announcements made inside trains, taking into account the feedback from stakeholders.
Mr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of DMRC, expressed enthusiasm about the unique opportunity, stating, “This initiative provides a platform for brands to align themselves with Delhi’s lifeline and engage with passengers, who collectively make nearly half a million journeys each day.”
According to Auctus-StudioPOD, consultants to DMRC, the licensing of co-branding rights aligns with global best practices observed in stadiums, bus terminals, trams, cable cars, and metro networks in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. This approach enables the monetization of commercial potential while keeping passenger fares affordable.
With a daily ridership of approximately 4.6 million passenger journeys across its 10 operational lines, including the Airport Express Line, the DMRC network stands as a vital lifeline for the capital. As part of its Phase IV expansion, an additional 46 stations are under construction, which will further extend the reach of the network across the breadth of the national capital, presenting even greater branding opportunities.
The DMRC’s co-branding initiative not only offers a unique chance for businesses to connect with a massive audience but also provides DMRC with a sustainable avenue for generating additional revenue to enhance its services and infrastructure.
