Installed at railway stations, the multi-lingual kiosk operates as a comprehensive infobank for all rail and city-related queries, which could be accessed through a simple touch screen. The kiosks are targeted at common railway commuters, who form a substantial captive audience for an ad message. (The Indian railways are used by an estimated 15 million people daily). As per the company's ad sales plan, there will be four principal sponsors across all pages and 25 main tickers.

The company will enhance its existing network of 22 kiosks in 16 cities to to have a base of 250 kiosks in around 200 Grade A railway stations in the next six months. The company plans to build a network of 1,500 MIKs across all 1,000 Grade A railway stations by fiscal 2001-02.

Says Mr Amar Shah, director, Tarini: ``The company is planning to invest Rs 17 crore in fiscal 2000-01 and Rs 75 crore in 2001-02. We've already invested over Rs 4.5 crore (since June 1999) towards developing software, infrastructure and maintenance.'' The company is eyeing VC funding and strategic investments from corporates early next year.

Besides ad sales, the company is also exploring the possibilities of content selling to Web and cellular companies. In the second phase, the company is expected to replicate its learnings at Indian Railways to create info-kiosks for bus stands, shopping malls and cinema halls.