Noida: Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is exploring a public-private partnership model for co-branding of upcoming metro stations on the Botanical Garden-Sector 142 corridor and Depot-Boraki extension.The proposed framework aims to invite private investment in the construction and development of facilities at the metro stations, in exchange for stations’ co-branding rights for a period of 30 years. NMRC has called for Expression of Interest (EOI) from reputed multinational companies for the same.“The objective of this EOI is to create strategic alliances with corporate brands, allowing them to integrate their brand name with selected metro stations, thereby gaining extensive visibility among daily commuters and the general public,” the EOI document stated.NMRC further clarified that these companies will not develop the metro stations. “The metro stations will be developed by the NMRC. After the stations are ready, these companies will be given rights for co-branding, and they can develop associated infrastructure like display boards, nameplates, stalls,” said Pradeep Yadav, NMRC general manager (projects).At present, the Aqua Line connects Noida Sector 51 with Depot Station in Greater Noida. The 12.5-km-long elevated corridor from Botanical Garden to Sector 142 will have eight stations, including Botanical Garden, sectors 44, 96, 97, 105, 108 (police commissionerate), 93 and Panchsheel Balak Inter College. The 2.6-km Depot-Boraki corridor will have two elevated metro stations at Junpat and Boraki.NMRC has issued a tender to hire a developer for the two projects. Once the agency is hired, the project is expected to be developed within 36 months. The Botanical Garden-Sector 142 project will be developed at Rs 2,254.35 crore and the Depot-Boraki at Rs 416 crore.
