# India’s first branded train becomes ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express

2026-08-13T03:04:08+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

India's first privately operated train, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express run by IRCTC, will be temporarily renamed the 'Sprite' Tejas Express from August 19 to November 11, 2026. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation awarded advertisement rights for the train's branding to Sprite for six months. The North Eastern Railway has been told to announce the train with the brand name at originating and en-route stations. IRCTC pays hauling charges to Indian Railways for using tracks and stations.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indias-first-private-branded-train-to-run-as-sprite-tejas-express/article71337893.ece>
- businesstoday.in <https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/fizz-on-the-tracks-lucknow-delhi-tejas-express-adopts-corporate-brand-title-with-beverage-giant-549097-2026-08-13?utm_source=rssfeed>

Tags: advertisement rights, Indian Railways, IRCTC, Tejas Express, train branding
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/irctc-tejas-express-to-run-as-sprite-tejas-express-from-august-19/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/irctc-tejas-express-to-run-as-sprite-tejas-express-from-august-19/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.
