Sprite has secured advertising rights from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to brand the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’, marking the first instance of an Indian train being named after a brand.
Under the six-month agreement, Train 82501/82502 will be announced as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ at originating and en route stations on both sides of the journey. The branding will remain in place from August 19 to November 11, 2026.
The advertising rights have been awarded to Sprite through a Letter of Acceptance. The initiative introduces a new form of commercial branding within the Indian Railways ecosystem, where advertising on train exteriors has previously been used as a revenue-generating avenue.
The Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express, flagged off in December 2021, is an air-conditioned superfast service operated by IRCTC. It offers onboard food, beverage and infotainment facilities, along with group booking options for corporate meetings, weddings and other social gatherings.
A senior Railways official said this is the first time a train has been named after a brand. While IRCTC operates the Tejas Express, it pays Indian Railways hauling charges for the use of railway infrastructure, including tracks and stations.
The move gives Sprite an extended brand presence across the train’s route while opening a new avenue for advertisers seeking visibility through India’s railway network.
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