India's Tejas Express Renamed 'Sprite' Tejas for Six Months
India's first privately managed Tejas Express, operating between Lucknow and Delhi, will be branded as 'Sprite' Tejas Express. This temporary six-month arrangement will see the train officially announced with the brand name starting August 19, 2026.
Key takeaways
- The Tejas Express train running between Lucknow and Delhi will be known as the 'Sprite' Tejas Express for a six-month period.
- This branding initiative began on August 19, 2026, and will conclude on November 11, 2026.
- This marks the first instance of a train in India being named after a commercial brand.
- The train is operated by IRCTC and features modern amenities, including group booking options.
What Happened
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has awarded advertisement rights for the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express to M/s Sprite. As a result, the train will be known as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express for a period of six months. This branding initiative officially commenced on August 19, 2026, and will continue until November 11, 2026. The North Eastern Railway has been instructed to announce the train, identified by numbers 82501/82502, with its new branded name at all originating and en route stations.
Background
The Tejas Express, described as India’s first privately managed train, was initially launched by IRCTC. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the train on December 3, 2021. IRCTC operates the train, which offers modern amenities including on-board food, beverage, and infotainment services. The train also facilitates group bookings, allowing entire AC Chair Car coaches, with 78 seats each, to be reserved for events such as corporate meetings and social gatherings. This branding marks the first instance of a train being named after a commercial brand. While operated privately by IRCTC, the company pays hauling charges to Indian Railways for the use of its infrastructure, including tracks and stations. Exterior advertisement wraps on train coaches have been employed by Indian Railways as an income generation strategy, permitting private companies to display their brands.
Key Facts
- The Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will be announced as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express for six months, from August 19, 2026, to November 11, 2026.
- The advertisement rights were awarded by IRCTC to M/s Sprite via a Letter of Acceptance.
- Sources in the Railways confirmed the train's renaming and the period of the branding.
- India's first private train, the Tejas Express, was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 3, 2021.
- The train is equipped with on-board food, beverage, and infotainment services.
- Group bookings are available for an entire AC Chair Car coach, which has 78 seats.
- This is the first time a train in India is being named after a commercial brand.
- IRCTC pays Indian Railways hauling charges for the use of infrastructure.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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