UPMRC invites bids for advertising rights across Kanpur Metro corridors, covering medians and civil structures

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC) has invited bids for licensing advertising spaces across two sections of the Kanpur Metro network, opening up inventory on the medians of the elevated priority corridor as well as the outside civil structures of Corridor-2. 

The two tenders, issued under reference numbers KNPAR-10 and KNPAR-20, cover a combined approximate advertising area of 1,558.76 sq m. The reserve Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG) for the two opportunities stands at approximately ₹83.95 lakh, excluding applicable taxes. 

Under tender KNPAR-10, UPMRC is offering 708 sq m of advertising space on the medians of the elevated IIT Kanpur–Motijheel priority corridor. The inventory is spread across eight sections: IIT Kanpur–Kalyanpur, Kalyanpur–SPM Hospital, SPM Hospital–CSJM University, CSJM University–Gurudev Chauraha, Gurudev Chauraha–Geeta Nagar, Geeta Nagar–Rawatpur, Rawatpur–LLR Hospital and LLR Hospital–Motijheel. 

The largest allocation is 140 sq m on the CSJM University–Gurudev Chauraha stretch, followed by 112 sq m between IIT Kanpur and Kalyanpur. The reserve MAG across these eight sections totals ₹35,72,406, with individual section-wise guarantees ranging from approximately ₹3.63 lakh to ₹7.06 lakh. 

The second opportunity, under tender KNPAR-20, concerns advertising rights on the outside civil structures of the elevated Kanpur Metro Corridor-2, between Agriculture University and Barra-08. The proposed inventory covers 38 pillars, with an approximate display area of 9,157.5 sq ft (850.76 sq m). The tender specifies different panel configurations across the pillars, including single-sided and double-sided displays. The reserve MAG for this inventory has been fixed at ₹48,23,324, excluding GST. 

For both opportunities, the selected licensees will be responsible for preparing advertising plans, designing and installing the panels, and managing their operation and maintenance. All proposed advertising structures and locations will require UPMRC’s approval and must comply with applicable advertising policies, safety requirements and other statutory provisions. The scope also includes sales and marketing activities and the development of advertising themes highlighting Kanpur’s culture, heritage and tourism. 

Both tenders provide for an initial licence period of three years, with the possibility of two further extensions of three years each, subject to UPMRC’s satisfaction. A two-year lock-in period applies, while the licence fee will increase by 6% annually on a compounded basis. Payments are to be made quarterly in advance, with applicable taxes and other charges payable separately. 

For KNPAR-10, bids can be submitted until December 10, 2026, at 3 pm, with the opening scheduled for December 11. For KNPAR-20, the submission deadline is December 15, 2026, at 3 pm, and bids are scheduled to be opened on December 16. Both bidding processes are being conducted through the Government of India’s e-tendering portal. 

Through these two licensing opportunities, UPMRC is looking to expand the advertising inventory available across Kanpur Metro’s elevated network while generating additional non-fare revenue from its infrastructure.