: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has floated a tender to display advertisements on selected piers and portals across its operational and upcoming Namma Metro corridors in Bengaluru, opening up thousands of advertising spaces along the Namma Metro network.

The tender, issued recently, seeks proposals from advertising agencies for the “design, development, operation and maintenance” of advertisement panels on Metro structures along the Purple, Green, Yellow, Pink and Blue lines.

According to officials, BMRCL plans to introduce both static and digital advertisement panels on Metro piers and portals while ensuring that the displays are aesthetically designed and comply with advertisement regulations.

A senior BMRCL official said, “The move is aimed at generating non-fare revenue for the Metro operator while also ensuring that advertisements along the corridors are regulated and visually appealing.”

“The objective is to develop organised and world-class advertising infrastructure across Metro corridors without creating visual clutter. The advertisements will have to comply with GBA and other statutory guidelines,” the official added.

Advertisements on 5,294 piers and portals

The tender covers existing corridors such as the Purple Line from Whitefield to Challaghatta, Green Line from Madavara to Silk Institute, and the upcoming Yellow Line between Bommasandra and RV Road. It also includes future corridors like the Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarakere and the Blue Line connecting Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport.

As per the document, the Purple Line alone will have 2,538 advertisement boards spread across 1,308 piers and 76 portals, covering more than 1.04 lakh square feet of advertising space. The Green Line is proposed to have 2,022 advertisement boards with a total advertising area of over 79,000 sq ft, while the Yellow Line will have 1,355 advertisement boards covering nearly 53,000 sq ft. The upcoming Blue Line to the airport is expected to emerge as one of the largest advertising corridors under the project, with nearly 2,960 advertisement boards planned across piers and portals.

The advertisement boards proposed on piers will largely measure 9 feet by 4 feet, while larger portal advertisements are proposed in 8 feet by 15 feet dimensions. BMRCL has fixed a minimum reserve concession fee of ₹83.03 crore annually, inclusive of GST, for the project.

Advertisement contract fixed for 7 years

The selected concessionaire will be responsible for obtaining approvals from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and other statutory agencies, installing the advertisement structures, ensuring electrical and fire safety compliance, and maintaining the displays during the concession period, according to tender document.

The contract period has been fixed at seven years, with a provision to extend it by another three years based on mutual agreement.

Meanwhile, the document notes that certain piers between Hebbagodi Metro station and Huskuru Road Metro station already feature traditional paintings. In such locations, advertisements may instead be permitted on the median portion between piers to preserve the artwork.

The BMRCL has witnessed a significant jump in non-fare box revenue (NFBR), which increased from ₹54 crore in 2024-25 to ₹145 crore in 2025-26, registering a growth of nearly 168%. The corporation’s non-fare revenue portfolio now includes several segments such as retail kiosks and outlets inside Metro stations, advertisements within and outside Metro premises, train branding, parking facilities, as well as newer initiatives like EV charging and battery swapping stations.