Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010850260200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati

‘Billboards’ on wheels

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

NOVEL IDEA: Welfare schemes initiated by the State government highlighted on the compartment of Tirupati-Visakhapatnam Tirumala Express.

TIRUPATI: Trains have just got known to have yet another utility. Carrying passengers apart, they are now used to carry messages across to the cross section of society.

With the Indian Railways coming up with the bright idea of selling out the vacant space on railway station premises and also on train rakes for commercial and promotional purposes, the State government appears to be the first taker.

The Congress, which is in no mood to leave any stone unturned towards marketing its welfare programmes, was too quick to lap up the offer.

Among other trains, the rake meant for Tirumala Express, travelling between Tirupati and Visakhapatnam and covering eight districts en route, has been chosen to promote the government’s welfare schemes.

Apart from a large-sized picture of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, each of the compartments has a topic to highlight, the relevant logo and a message. While banners and hoardings have a limitation, these ‘Billboards on wheels’ go that ‘extra mile’ in spreading the message… Loud and clear!