Indian Railways has officially entered a new era of non-fare revenue generation with the launch of the ‘Sprite Tejas Express.’ Starting today, August 19, 2026, the Lucknow–New Delhi Tejas Express (Train Numbers 82501/82502) has been rebranded as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express,’ marking the first time a scheduled passenger train in India has integrated a private corporate brand name into its official operations.
Key updates regarding this new initiative:
- The branding collaboration is between IRCTC and Coca-Cola India (Sprite).
- The official branding period for the train’s name is from August 19, 2026, to November 11, 2026.
- The advertising contract spans a total of six months to ensure a strategic commercial engagement.
- The train will be announced as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ at all originating and en-route stations.
- Five coaches of the train will feature distinctive vinyl wrapping as part of the branding exercise.
A New Strategy for Revenue Generation
This initiative, facilitated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), is designed to boost income through advertising rather than relying solely on ticket sales. The Lucknow to New Delhi route covers 512 kilometers in approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes, operating six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. By leveraging the high visibility of the Tejas Express, IRCTC aims to create a sustainable model for non-fare revenue that could be replicated across other premium services in the future.
Clarification on Operations and Infrastructure
It is important for passengers to note that this move is strictly a commercial advertising partnership. Indian Railways has clarified that this does not indicate any form of privatization of the train service or the railway infrastructure. The North Eastern Railway (NER) will continue to manage the operational supervision, while IRCTC remains the operator, paying the necessary hauling charges for the use of tracks and station facilities provided by the national transporter.
This branding shift represents a significant milestone in how Indian Railways modernizes its financial strategy. By blending corporate partnerships with public transport, the railway board is looking to enhance its financial health while maintaining the core service standards that passengers have come to expect from the premium Tejas Express fleet.