
Although many cities in our country have metro rail services, Bengaluru’s Namma Metro has been known as one of the cleanest and most aesthetically pleasing. However, in a bid to boost revenue, BMRCL has signed an agreement with two agencies for an annual fee of ₹3.5 crore to allow advertisements in metro stations, premises, and inside metro trains.
BMRCL, in a press release, stated that it has entered into an agreement with Mudra Ventures and Lokesh Outdoor to generate advertising revenue.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has entered into separate seven-year agreements with Mudra Ventures and Lokesh Outdoor for advertising rights on the Purple Line and Green Line trains. This collaboration is expected to generate around ₹25 crore in revenue and aims to leverage the high ridership on Bengaluru Metro routes.
The agreement will see the use of various advertising mediums, including train wrapping and indoor advertising on trains, giving brands a rare opportunity to reach millions of people who travel on the metro every day. BMRCL has taken this step as part of its efforts to find permanent revenue streams other than its ticket sales revenue.
Mudra Ventures and Lokesh Outdoor, experts in transit media, will enhance the Bengaluru Metro experience by introducing attractive designs and innovative advertising models on the Purple and Green lines.
Through this collaboration with Mudra Ventures and Lokesh Outdoor, BMRCL aims to provide world-class metro services and adopt innovative business models to ensure economic sustainability and support urban infrastructure development. - M. Maheshwara Rao, MD, BMRCL
The court has issued a strict order that no advertisements should be displayed in Silicon City, Bengaluru. As a result, BBMP has banned advertisements within the city's limits and will remove any banners or buntings used for advertising. Additionally, BBMP will file cases against those who have displayed advertisements, collect fines, and take further action. However, the BBMP has allowed companies investing in construction projects like skywalks, bus shelters, toilets, and other facilities to display their advertisements on the left side of the road. There are allegations that corporation officials are involved in this.
Despite a ban on advertising in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) continues to operate buses with billboards affixed to them, plying across the city. This undermines the very concept of the advertising ban. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of most BMTC buses has been completely ruined, as they now resemble vehicles designed primarily for advertising revenue rather than passenger ticket revenue.