India’s first privately operated train is set to sport a new identity, with the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express to be branded as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express for nearly three months. Want to know more about this? Read on.
Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express To Be Called ‘Sprite’
The move comes after Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) awarded the train’s advertising rights to M/s Sprite, according to railway sources cited by The Hindu. The branding will remain in place from August 19 to November 11, 2026, covering Train Nos. 82501 and 82502, which run between Lucknow and Delhi. According to the news portal, the North Eastern Railway has been directed to announce the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow IRCTC Tejas Express as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express during the branding period.
The train will be commonly referred to by the brand name at its starting point and en-route stations on both sides of the route. The advertising rights were awarded through a Letter of Acceptance as part of the railways’ efforts to generate additional revenue through commercial branding and advertising. The arrangement is believed to be the first instance of an Indian train being formally named after a commercial brand.
However, an official told the portal that the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is not a privately owned train in the conventional sense. While IRCTC operates the service, it pays Indian Railways for using railway infrastructure, including tracks and stations.
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The branding arrangement is part of the railway advertising model, under which companies can use permitted spaces on trains, including exteriors, in order to promote their brands while Indian Railways continues to provide the underlying infrastructure.
All About The Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express
Operated by IRCTC, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is a fully air-conditioned premium train providing passengers amenities such as onboard food and beverage services and infotainment facilities.
The train also offers group booking options. Corporate groups, wedding parties and other large groups can book an entire AC Chair Car coach, which has 78 seats. The Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express was declared off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 3, 2021. Its launch was part of Indian Railways’ experiment with privately operated passenger train services, with IRCTC managing the train’s operations and paying haulage charges to Indian Railways.
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The upcoming Sprite branding gives the Tejas Express a new commercial identity and marks a first for India’s railway network, with the train set to formally carry a brand name for a limited period.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What are the routes of Tejas Express?
These include the Lucknow to New Delhi route, Mumbai to Madgaon (Goa), Chennai Egmore to Madurai, and Mumbai Central to Ahmedabad.
Is Tejas train owned by Tata?
No, the Tejas Express is not owned by Tata.
Is the Tejas train fully AC?
Yes, the Tejas Express is a fully air-conditioned, semi-high-speed train operated by Indian Railways and the IRCTC.
