CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) is exploring new avenues for revenue generation by allowing advertisements on the pillars of its elevated stretches. The organization has initiated the bidding process, and a contractor is expected to be chosen within the coming months. These advertisements will be designed to reflect the cultural essence of the city and promote State tourism.
According to CMRL officials, the pillars along the Thirumangalam-CMBT, CMBT-Ashok Nagar, Ashok Nagar-Ekkatuthangal, Ekkatuthangal-Alandur, Saidapet-Guindy, and Guindy-Alandur stretches will be utilized for displaying these thematic advertisements. This strategic initiative aims to bolster non-fare box revenue.
While ticket sales contribute to revenue, CMRL acknowledges the need for diversification due to increasing operational costs. The growing ridership, with approximately 2.6 lakh daily commuters, leads to escalated expenditures. Therefore, generating substantial non-fare box revenue has become imperative. This will be achieved by leasing spaces within stations to commercial enterprises, allowing companies to prefix their names to station names, utilizing pillar space for advertisements, and implementing similar strategies, as stated by an official.
The inauguration of CMRL’s first elevated stretch from Koyambedu to Alandur took place in 2015. Subsequently, Phase I and its extension projects were successfully completed, resulting in the establishment of a functional 54-km network.
