The Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway (SER) has engaged a private agency for an annual fee of Rs 1.60 lakh to help the railways generate revenue through advertisements.

Confirming the development, Tatanagar station director H.K. Balmuchu on Wednesday said a New Delhi- based agency had bagged the two-year contract.

The agency has started its work by installing a large LED screen (10ftx8ft) at the entrance of Tatanagar station.

“The agency will get in touch with advertisers and show the ads in the big display board. The whole objective is to generate income from advertisements, which we were not doing so far,” said Balmuchu.

Tatanagar railway station authorities have also started negotiations with a couple of other local private parties for putting up similar LED display screens both at the old and the new entry points at Burmamines.

Tatanagar assumes significance for Chakradharpur because it is the busiest station of the division and sees the movement of over 45 pairs of mail, express and high-profile trains.

“We need funds for the upkeep of the station and make it eco-friendly. The revenue from advertisements can contribute in this regard,” a senior railway official at Tatanagar said.