NEW DELHI: In a first for Delhi Metro, station names are up for grabs, albeit at a price. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is going to auction off rights to have stations named after companies and their brands.

The move, which Metro hopes will be a money-spinner, comes as a part of its business development measures.

"The selected bidder or licensee shall have exclusive semi-naming rights at selected Metro stations. The licensee will suffix the brand name with the name of the station. In addition, the licensee shall also be granted advertisement rights at the station," said Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro spokesman.

The stations which will have their names auctioned are Huda City Centre, IFFCO Chowk, MG Road, Guru Dronacharya, Noida City Centre, Golf Course, Botanical Garden, Noida Sector 18 and Vaishali. Dayal added that Metro is starting the scheme with these nine stations and may extend it to other stations if the response is good.

Incidentally, Rapid Metro in Gurgaon already follows this practice. Its stations have been given out to companies that bid the highest for the right and their names have been used in the station name. These include stations like Vodafone Belvedere Towers station, Indusind Bank Cybercity station and the Micromax Moulsari Avenue station.

For the Delhi Metro stations, the licensee or company will also have the right to advertise its products inside the station. The colour scheme within the station can also be determined by the company to reflect its branding. Dayal added that advertisement space of about 500 square metre at the station will also be given.

It's the first time that the Delhi Metro is putting its station names on the auction block. Traditionally, DMRC has named its stations based on the location. These stations will now not only have the Delhi Metro name but also be prefixed or suffixed by the company name or brand, added Dayal.

