NMRC has decided to lease commercial space at three metro stations on the Aqua Line network, namely: the Sector 81 Metro Station, the Sector 83 Metro Station, and the Depot Metro Station. It will be done for better improvement of the non-fare box revenue.
As per reports, this project is a part of the larger strategy employed by NMRC to monetize metro-infrastructure assets other than earning through tickets. The leasing out of commercial space at stations to retail shops, kiosks, offices, and services has rapidly increased in importance to urban transport organizations in India.
At the Sector 81 Metro Station, the NMRC has launched four commercial spaces of different sizes spread across various levels. These commercial spaces come in a combination of different sizes as follows: there is one that is 26 square meters located on the ground floor, another measuring 172 square meters located on the ground floor, another larger one measuring 315 square meters located either on the first level/concourse level 1, while another occupies 232 square meters on concourse level 2.
Sector 83 Metro Station will offer a single commercial unit measuring 226 sq. m., which will be on the upper ground floor. On the other hand, at the Depot Metro Station, the NMRC is providing a 106 sq. m. commercial area on either the first level or the concourse level. According to announcements made by the officials, the successful bidders will be permitted to utilize the commercial spaces for all purposes other than the operations mentioned in the list designated as prohibited or restrictive usage.
The officials at the NMRC stated that non-fare revenue is a vital part of the financial planning of the organization. Any revenue that comes from commercial leasing, advertising rights, and property development is vital for meeting the operational costs and does not entirely rely on increasing fares. Due to increasing maintenance and energy costs, the transport sector is focusing on asset monetization.
The last date for submission of applications for such commercial space has been set to January 5, 2026. The license term for the successful bidder shall be for 15 years. This will provide long-term visibility to businesses operating from the Metro premises.
Presently, the Aqua Line plying between Noida Sector 51 and the Depot station in Greater Noida is serving an ever-increasing number of commuters. According to data from November 2025, the Aqua Line is registering an average daily ridership of nearly 68,869 commuters. This traffic to and from the stations is why the sites are so coveted for commercial or retail businesses that require a lot of visibility and regular traffic.
NMRC is also working towards expanding its network that would help further boost its ridership as well as commercial opportunities. There are three extension projects that are planned or under consideration, which include an extension from Sector 51 to Knowledge Park V, an extension from Sector 51 to Sector 142, and an extension from Depot Station to Boraki.
Furthermore, a skywalk connecting Metro Station 51 of the Aqua Line with Metro Station 52 of the Blue Line is expected to be finished by January 2026. The skywalk is expected to enhance convenience for interchanges, in addition to increasing the flow of passengers in both metro lines.
With increased passenger traffic, expansion of the network, and an emphasis on non-fare revenue, the leasing of commercial spaces by the NMRC indicates the emerging trend among metro bodies to adopt more sustainable and diversified revenue streams while improving passenger experience.
Image- nmrcnoida.com
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