Happy days on the cards for Kolkata Metro through branding of stations

The General Manager of Kolkata Metro Railway had recently indicated that it was considering a proposal to increase its revenue by branding stations. As a result, keen corporate houses have woken up to immense possibilities.
Kolkata Metro is already on the job to work out the details of how much corporates will be charged for exclusive advertising rights at the stations because Metro Rail is keen to increase non-fare revenue by March 2016-17.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 29 October 2016.

Metro Rail has said that there will not be any change in the names of the stations, neither will the corporates be able to prefix or suffix their names to that of the stations. Already a bank and a corporate house has approached the authorities and, before taking any decision, the matter will be discussed with stakeholders, including the state.
Incidentally, corporate branding and dazzling Metro stations can be seen across the world and, in some cities, Metro stations are as swanky as airports. The proposal can lead to a win-win situation for all because, while the earnings of Metro will increase, commuters will get better services and corporates will grab eyeballs. Ultimately, the move could lead to cleaner, brighter stations and, if stations adjoining shopping malls are branded, it will be all the more advantageous.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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