Central Railway’s Mumbai division has recorded a significant rise in non-fare revenue, collecting ₹95.16 crore in the current financial year. The increase is primarily driven by advertising initiatives, with the Atal Setu emerging as a key contributor despite lower-than-expected vehicular traffic.
According to officials, out-of-home (OOH) advertising remains the largest revenue source, contributing ₹49.14 crore. The Atal Setu, which was expected to witness 56,000 vehicles daily but currently sees only 22,689 on average, has still become a prime advertising platform, attracting major brands and advertisers.
The Rail Display Network, which includes digital screens at railway stations, added ₹19.93 crore, while mobile advertising—including vinyl wraps on 26 trains and promotional campaigns on Vande Bharat and Tejas Express—brought in ₹15.54 crore. Other initiatives, such as relaxation massage chairs and outsourced waiting rooms, generated ₹10.40 crore.
This revenue boost aligns with Indian Railways’ long-term strategy to increase its share of non-fare earnings. The railway ministry aims to grow non-fare revenue from the current 3.4% to 20% of total earnings by 2030 through various monetisation and advertising initiatives.
With Indian Railways targeting ₹3 lakh crore in revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year, authorities are focusing on diversified income sources, including asset monetisation and large-scale advertising. Central Railway’s success with Atal Setu advertising highlights the growing potential of infrastructure-driven revenue generation, paving the way for future expansion in non-fare earnings.
