BMRCL is still awaiting official permission from BBMP to start advertisements around metro stations.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is still awaiting official permission from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). to start advertising around the metro station premises.
An official from Urban Development Departments (UDD) said, “The bye laws of BBMP do not apply on BMRCL, they have been in loss and since we have passed on the order, it is BBMP that has to grant them an official permission.”
TL Ravi Prakash, Senior Manager Public Relations at BMRCL said, “We still await a letter from BBMP, we suffered annual loss of up to Rs. 300 crore. We are majorly dependent on tickets and indoor advertisements [in the metro coaches] for our revenue. We just have received a verbal announcement that we can do digital advertising on escalators and platforms, it is yet to commence.”
The Urban Development Department (UDD) on November 19 this year, passed a notification to lift the ban on BMRCL by BBMP, which had prevented it from putting out advertisements in the coaches and on pillars on the platforms and other spaces.
Arjun, owner of Plasma Creations said, “We have been taking orders for advertising for a long time from Namma Metro. We are continuing with advertising on platforms and on metro trains on a small scale but we used to get a lot of money from advertising on escalators, digital boards and banners around the platform.” He added, “We had taken orders from big corporations, but after this ban, we had to refund the advance from our pockets.”
Rajesh, owner of Zasha Creations said, “I’m running in losses and I had to pay Rs 2 crore to the firms for the contracts I took for advertising at metro stations.. There has been a huge loss and I hope we get back on track after this notification.”
Ms. Kalpana Katariya, Executive Director at BMRCL, Property Development Division said, “The bye laws of BBMP are only limited to outdoor advertising, since the law does not apply on us, BBMP should hasten the process of the revival of this indoor advertising.”
Mr, Deepak, Special Commissioner of Advertising and Marketing at BBMP said, “Since our advertising bye laws do not apply on BMRCL, within a month or so, the BMRCL will get a letter from us saying that our laws do not apply on the indoor advertising and they can advertise within the platforms or so.”
Ms. Sonam Arora, Head of Department, Economics, at KL International School said, “Advertisements are a good way for revenue, publicity and promotion. It benefits both the advertiser and advertising firm for their products or services they deliver. . Metro stations are one of the good places to advertise and gather public attention, since many people commute on public transport.”
