Now, shoot film, celebrate birthday in Metro trains, stations

JAIPUR: For a change, Jaipurites can now celebrate birthdays, marriage anniversaries and other celebrations on wheels as Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) has finalised its policy to provide it on rent.
Even film and advertisement makers can book new destination, Jaipur Metro trains and stations train for shootings. The cash-strapped JMRC is looking to fill it coffers after renting out stations and trains for the two-hour shooting or celebration, after the operation is closed.

A senior official at JMRC said, “The policy to provide permission for renting Jaipur metro for shooting was given nod in the board meeting. After a public notification, the new policy will soon be implemented.”

Akin to the Jaipur Metro film policy, the JMRC policy will cover nine stations between Chandpole and Mansarovar under which it will charge Rs 1 lakh for two hours for shooting inside Metro Train, while the same amount is to be paid if one wants to shoot inside a Metro station.

“Once the operations are closed, the JMRC staff gets two-hour time. During this time trains and stations would be rented out to earn revenue,” added official.

The JMRC official believes the fee is nominal and would attract large number of takers. A JMRC official said , “ The film makers from other part of the country are expected to come in large number as rent fixed is much lesser than other cities, Metros.”

He added, “ The fixing of rent has nothing to do with the number of passengers. The JMRC have to deploy it’s resources which has its cost, so the fee is for that. Both the parties will be benefited once metro allows shooting.,”

Permitting film shooting is JMRC’s alternative revenue generation model, since the income from the sale of tickets is insufficient for the metro’s operation and maintenance. “Over the past two financial years, JMRC has earned a revenue of Rs 19 crore and suffered an operational loss of Rs 46 crore. Out of this, Rs 45 crore was provided to JMRC by the state government through the Rajasthan Transport Infrastructure Development Fund,” added an official.