The Railway Board, New Delhi, has asked zonal railways to generate non-fare revenue (NFR) by leveraging space at railway stations across the country.
The Board has spelt out a set of options that could be considered by the zonal railways to bring in additional revenue to the railway sector.
A written communication in this regard has been circulated to all General Managers asking them to move forward in a mission mode to general NFR. In addition to the options suggested by it, the Railway Board has asked the zonal railways to consider more innovative measures at their level too.
Some of the options spelt out by the Board include allowing advertisements in the interior/exterior portion of trains; utilising risers of foot overbridges for advertising; advertising on mobile assets and linen packets; processing garbage for generating energy/revenue and advertising in station premises in platform/circulating areas.
Creation of lounges/air-conditioned waiting rooms at railway stations with or without participation by IRCTC for enhancing passenger satisfaction as well as generating additional revenue and providing content on demand in trains to add to passenger satisfaction as well as generate revenue are the other measures spelt out by the Board.
The communication further said generating NFR in some cases would add to passenger comfort and convenience. The Board has vested the General Managers with full powers to finalise the cases and that they could consider further sub delegation to the Divisional Railway Managers.
These powers need to be exercised in consultation with associate finance, it said adding that the contracts should generally cover the entire railway division.
The General Managers have also been asked to make a realistic assessment of the likely additional revenue that could be generated and keep the Railway Board Chairman apprised of it.
Without confining itself with suggesting a slew of options, the Board has sought monthly report from the zonal railways on the non-fare revenue generated.
Acting on the Board’s instructions, the Tiruchi railway divisional railway authorities have already finalised a few NFR proposals to boost revenue.
The finalised proposals include promotion of Railway Ticketing App (UTS); contract for allowing market in the Golden Rock area in Tiruchi, which would fetch ₹18 lakhs to the railway for a period of six months; Vinyl wrapping and interior advertisement in the Tiruchi - Thiruvananthapuram -Tiruchi Inter City Expresses that would bring in ₹ 20 lakh for six months and advertisements through LED at Tiruchi.
Theme Park
A few NFR-related proposals such as establishment of a Theme Park at Rail Museum in Tiruchi and multi-functional complex were under finalisation, said the authorities.
