2,000 ATMs to come up on rail platforms

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will launch the non-fare revenue policy, a first in Railways, offering various schemes for revenue-yielding activities including train branding, rail radio schemes and the mega offer of setting up about 2400 ATMs at platforms of major stations across the country early next week. 

“Currently Railways earns less than 5 per cent of its total revenue through non-tariff sources. Our aim is to raise it substantially through  concrete offers,” said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the firming up the non-fare revenue policy. 

ATMs will be on end platforms or prominent spaces in the circulating area of the station,  he said, adding stations will be offered via  transparent e-auction process for a long-term  10-year contract. 

The policy envisages that in addition to the existing identified sites, Railways shall allow advertising at areas hitherto unused such as area along tracks, road over-bridges and level-crossing gates. The policy will offer out-of-home advertising policy and allow monetisation of railway assets by means of advertising, the official said. 

Besides, big LED screens will come up at station buildings, platforms, foot overbridges (leading to station area) for advertising under Rail Display Network as part of the new policy. Rail Display Network will initially cover 25 stations including Old Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur and later on extended to other major stations.