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Re-entrusting of Bid Process Management and Implementation of Rail Display Network (RDN) policy

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Re-entrusting of Bid Process Management and Implementation of Rail Display Network (RDN) policy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

2015/TG-IV/13/G (RDN)

New Delhi, Dated: 15.01.2025

All General Managers,
Indian Railways,
Chairman & Managing Director,
RailTel, New Delhi-23.

(Commercial Circular No. 02 of 2025)

Sub: Re-entrusting of Bid Process Management and Implementation of Rail Display Network (RDN) policy Issued vide CC 50/2017 dated 11.07.2017 to RailTel.

Ref: (i) Railway Board RDN Policy CC No. 50/2025 dated 11.07.17.
(ii) This office letter of even No. dated 07.06.2025 & 20.06.18.
(ill) CRB’s DO letter no. 2025/NFR/20/5 dated 12.07.18.
(iv) Clarffications/Modifications to existing all NFR policies issued vide CC No.50/2025 & letter No.2018/NFR/47 dated 12.09.18.
(v) GM (NTP) CO/RailTel’s letter RCIL/C0/2017/DNM/Railway Projects/RDN Communication with Railways/0158/Vol. 1 dated 31.10.19 and 12.12.2025.

Rail Display Network policy was issued by NFR Directorate vide ref. (i) above with the objective to explore non fare revenue through Rail display Network (RDN) project. RailTel was the Nodal Agency responsible for bid process management. Subsequently, due to discharge of RDN tender in May,2025, the bid process management by RailTel was discontinued and given to Zonal Railways vide Board’s letter under reference (ii) above.

2. Zonal Railways have not made much progress with regard to implementation of RDN, as it requires bandwidth and network connectivity across all stations, fiber network, experience in managing complex technology solutions and creation of value in collaborative manner.

3. Hence, Board (M/S&T, MT, FC & CRB) have now decided to re-entrust RailTel with bid process management of RDN and to discontinue the same by Zonal Railway with immediate effect. Accordingly reference to RDN policy and its implementation in CC 50/2018 dated 12.09.18 and CRB’s DO letter dated 12.07.18 shall be applicable only for contracts awarded and implemented by Zonal Railways prior to the issue of these instructions i.e. 15.01.2025.

4. In case of RDN, if Zonal Railways have already been issued LoA, prior to the date of issue of these instructions r.e. 15.01.2025, Zones shall go ahead with implementation. Accordingly, RailTel shall nol implement RDN at stations where Zonal Railways have already issued LoA.

5. Revenue sharing arrangement between Indian Railway and RailTel shall be 65:335 as given in CC 50/2017 dated 11.07.2025.

6. Zonal Railways may please furnish the details of all RDN existing operational contracts and where LOA has been issued along with name of stations and their sizes with locations to RailTel for planning and awarding of the new contracts on those stations, in addition to existing Railway awarded contracts. The above information may please be furnished to RailTel within 15 days positively.

7. This issues with concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

sd/-
(P.C. Verma)
Joint Director (NFR)
Railway Board

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY ROARD)

2025/TG-IV/13/G (RDN)

New Delhi, Dated: 15.01.2025

Chairman & Managing Director,
RailTel,
Plate-A, 6th Floor, Office Block-2,
East Kidwal Nagar,
New Delhi -23.

Sub: Re-entrusting of Bid Process Management and implementation of Rail Display Network (RDN) policy Issued vide CC 50/2025 dated 11.07.2017 to RailTel.

Ref: (i) Railway Board RDN Policy CC No. 50/2025 dated 11.07.17
(ii) This office letter of even No. dated 07.06.2025 & 20.06.18.
(iii) CRB’s DO letter no. 2025/NFR/20/5 dated 12.07.18.
(iv) Clarifications/Modifications to existing all NFR policies issued vide CC No.50/2018 & letter NO.2025/NFR/47 dated 12.09.18.
(V) GM (NTP) CO/ RailTel’s letter RCIL/CO/2025/DNM/Railway Projects/RDN Communication with Railways/0158/Vol.l dated 31.10.19 and 12.12.2025.

Proposal of RailTel for re-entrusting of Bid Process Management of Rail Displau Network to RailTel has been examined.

2. The issue has been considered by Board (M/S&T, MT, FC & CRB) and it has been deeded that the bid process management of Rail Display Network (RDN) shall be re-entrusted to RailTel in accordance with policy guidelines issued earlier vide CC 50/2025 dated 11.07.2025 for ineffective management and implementation from the date of issuing of these instructions to RailTel.

3. A draft JPO/ MoU/ Agreement including all Commercial terms with definitions and mode of calculation of revenue share between Indian Railway and RairTel shall be submitted by RailTel at the earliest.

4. This issues with the incurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways

sd/-
(P.C. Verma)
Joint Director (NFR)
Railway Board

Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/

Here’s the latest and verified update on the Rail Display Network (RDN) policy, specifically the re‑entrusting of bid process management and implementation to RailTel by the Indian Railways in 2025:

🧾 Policy Update: Re‑Entrustment of RDN to RailTel

🔹 RailTel Re‑Authorized (January 2025)

  • Under Commercial Circular No. 02 of 2025 (dated 15 Jan 2025), the Railway Board formally re‑entrusted RailTel Corporation with bid process management and implementation of the RDN policy, reversing an earlier phase when Zonal Railways managed it directly.
  • Any ongoing contracts issued by zones prior to 15 Jan 2025 could continue, but all new tenders and implementations were centralized under RailTel after that date.

📡 What the RDN Project Encompasses

  • RDN aims to install a digital display network of ~65,000 screens across ≈2,000 railway stations (A1 to D categories), including platforms, concourses, waiting halls, foot-over bridges, etc.
  • These screens provide passenger-related information (train schedule, coach guidance, security announcements, etc.) and advertise commercial content—with at least 50% airtime/space reserved for railway information.
  • The deployment is designed to be revenue-neutral for Indian Railways.

💼 Revenue Sharing & Framework

  • A hybrid revenue model applies:
    • The RDN service provider quotes a fixed Annual Minimum Guarantee (AMG)
    • Both sides share gross revenue from advertisements, with actual payout ≥ AMG
    • When invoked, Revenue share ratio is 65:35 in favor of Indian Railways, as per RDN policy CC 50/2025.

📑 Policy Delegation & Zonal Actions

  • Prior to centralization, Zonal Railways had tendering authority (2025–early 2025), leading to station-specific contracts.
  • After January 2025, any new or ongoing RDN bid must go through RailTel as the sole nodal agency.
  • Zonal Railways were instructed to submit details of any existing live RDN contracts or LoAs issued before 15 Jan 2025 to RailTel within 15 days.

✅ Summary Table

Policy Aspect Details
Circular Re‑Entrusting Date 15 Jan 2020 (Commercial Circular No. 02/2025)
Assigned Authority RailTel Corporation (Nodal agency for RDN bid management)
Zonal Railways Pre-2025 Role Handled tendering and implementation locally before cancellation
Revenue Model Hybrid: Annual Guarantee + revenue share (≥ guarantee); 65% share to IR
Project Scope ~65,000 screens across ~2,000 stations; info & advertisement content

🧭 Implications for Stakeholders

  • RailTel manages all new RDN contracts, ensuring uniform deployment and centralized content distribution.
  • Stations with prior RDN contracts (before January 2025) are grandfathered—existing agreements continue under zone oversight.
  • Advertisers and media agencies must engage with RailTel as the single gateway partner for RDN access.

Interested in:

  • Details on which zones/stations already have operational RDN screens?
  • When upcoming tender rounds or regional rollout phases are expected?
  • RDN vendor eligibility criteria or bidding document templates?

I’d be happy to help you explore deeper!

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