As the row over the signage of Metro stations continues between IIT-Delhi and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the rail body has covered all signs mentioning the name of the coaching institute 'FIITJEE' till the matter regarding size of disclaimer is resolved.
The Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi) has been at loggerheads with DMRC since the latter named a station 'FIITJEE IIT' under the revenue generation plan. The scheme assigns sponsors to Metro stations.
In May, the Delhi High Court directed DMRC to display disclaimers at Metro stations, clarifying that the coaching institute was in no way related to the premier educational institution. IIT argued that the size of the disclaimer should be big enough for commuters to read.
IIT-D had filed a petition objecting to the signage, saying it could mislead people — including aspiring IITians — into believing that FIIT-JEE had some arrangement with the institute. It also claimed in the plea that parents, aspirants, even alumni were inquiring whether IIT-D had brought signed FIIT-JEE onboard as its official coaching partner.
The institution also took up the matter with the Union Ministries for Human Resource Development (HRD) and Urban Development.
DMRC clarified that the branding of the station was outsourced to a third party, which has a tie-up with FIIT-JEE, hence the matter of size of the disclaimer is between FIITJEE and the licensee. "DMRC has covered all the FIIT-JEE branding on the station till the matter is resolved between the licensee and the brand," a Metro official said.
Co-branding of stations has been a revenue generation model for the Rail corporation since 2014. Several stations in Delhi, Noida, Faridabad have been branded by partnering with different companies. Currently, it is auctioning the naming rights to over 40 stations.
IIT-DELHI’S PLEA
- IIT-D had filed a petition objecting to the signage, saying it could mislead people — including aspiring IITians — into believing that FIIT-JEE had some arrangement with the institute.
- The institution also took up the matter with the Union Ministries
