Rlys to beam programmes on two lakh TV screens

NEW DELHI: The railways plans to enter the virtual space.

NEW DELHI: The railways plans to enter the virtual space.

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If project timelines are met, the rail display network (RDN) — a networked system of approximately 200,000 screens across 2,175 A1, A,B, C and D stations — will become operational by next March.

These screens will be “cloud controlled” to allow the telecast of same content at the same time across the country.

Options for display of different content on separate screens or telecast of content in different languages will also exist. Advertisements will take up 50% of the display, while the rest will be devoted to rail-related information such as arrival and departure of trains. The RDN screens will have audio and video capabilities to enable telecast of policy pronouncements of the Prime Minister or the railway minister.

Rail-related documentaries will also be telecast, along with content on lifestyle, health and entertainment.

“Static hoardings and posters will be removed from stations to improve aesthetics after the RDN is put in place,” an official said. The concept — envisaging a project cost of Rs 2,000 crore — makes sound business sense.

The Faridabad-based Prabhatam Advertizing Private Limited, Mic Electronics of Gwalior and Direct New Private Limited of Jaipur are the other companies that have made their bids.

The railways, among the world’s biggest transporters, runs 12,000 passenger trains, has 7,000-odd stations and carries 23 million passengers each day – equivalent of Australia’s population.