Now Reading: India’s first branded train becomes ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express
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India’s first branded train becomes ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
Naming a train after a fizzy drink feels like an overreach for a country that still treats its railways as a sacred public good. Some will call it clever monetisation; others will see it as one more piece of public infrastructure auctioned off to the highest bidder. The real test is whether the 'Sprite' Tejas Express delivers better service, not just a new paint job. Does any passenger actually want to board a train named after a soft drink?
Sources (2): thehindu.com, businesstoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
