Delhi Metro stations to also sell handicraft, handloom items

To promote handicraft items, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will set up 160 kiosks for their display and sale at its stations, in partnership with the ministry of Textiles. The high-quality kiosks will be fabricated by DMRC and will be installed at existing and upcoming Metro stations in a phased manner starting from October.

The ministry had wanted this to promote handicraft and handloom products, as the shops will be located at high-visibility positions where footfall is high and the entire range of products can be displayed through the Metro network.

Union textiles secretary Rita Menon met DMRC managing director E Sreedharan today and gave him a cheque of Rs 5 crore as the first installment for establishing the kiosks. Another Rs 5 crore will be paid by the ministry subsequently, while DMRC will provide the space required and maintain the kiosks.

Two kiosks will be installed at every selected atation. Besides handicrafts and textiles, local food items will also be sold at these kiosks, which will provide a marketing platform to wholesalers and retailers.