Eighty Metro stations which register high footfalls have been selected to set up handicraft kiosks to promote handicrafts and handloom products.

In a tie-up with the Ministry of Textiles, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will showcase Indian handicrafts and provide a platform to make them commercially available.

Around 160 high-quality kiosks will be created by the Delhi Metro and installed at existing and upcoming Metro stations in a phased manner starting from October 2009.

“The Ministry had expressed interest in setting up the kiosks at Metro stations to promote handicraft and handloom products as the shops will be located at high-visibility positions where footfall is high,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.

As part of the first installment for providing space and maintaining the kiosks, an amount of Rs five crore was handed over to DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan on Thursday by Secretary (Textiles), Rita Menon.

Another Rs five crore will be paid by the Ministry of Textiles subsequently.

The kiosks are expected to be popular among Metro commuters and foreign buyers, expected in large numbers during the Commonwealth Games.