Almost all old cities of the developing countries which are supporting the highest population densities are facing the problems of heavy traffic, lack of proper sewerage & storm water disposal system, lack of parking spaces, and lack of social infrastructure etc. Solving of these problems were not within the capability of the local Authorities due to non availability of space in such cities and lack of technology.

In the present era of science and development, the advent of new technology has made it possible to solve above problems by providing such infrastructure below or above the ground of such cities. For the benefits of the public, the living example of Delhi Metro Rail including its vast railway stations and restaurants etc. which have been constructed below and above the ground has been described as below.

The walled city of Delhi developed traditionally over a period of time into mixed land uses associated with whole sale markets is a most congested part of the city facing acute traffic problems, lack of parking spaces, and lack of social infrastructure etc. Recently, the construction of Metro Rail below ground in the said walled city has proved that natural constraints coming in the way of development can be overcome with the application of advanced technology. The Delhi Metro Rail Project is being implemented primarily to solve traffic problems of Delhi as first of all conceived in Delhi Master Plan in 1960.

The 1st. phase, 2nd phase and 3rd phase of Delhi Metro Rail have already been commissioned. The operation of said Metro rail has reduced the traffic congestion on roads running parallel to the said Metro line. It has also reduced the traveling time of the commuters. It is considered reliable, safe, and more comfortable mode of transportation as it has reduced the road accidents. In addition, it has reduced atmospheric pollution including noise and has also reduced the fuel consumption of transport sector resulting in saving of foreign exchange. It reduced the need for parking spaces, expansion of roads, flyovers, laying of new roads etc. in areas which are being served by it. It reflects sense of pride to the city and country having a world class facility.

As Urban MRT projects are developed to provide safe, speedy and affordable mode of travel to the commuters, such projects generally are not found financially viable in the most cities of the world, despite their large economic benefits. Therefore, burden of Delhi Metro Rail is being shared through

(i)Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

(ii)Equity contributions from the GOI / GNCTD,

(iii)Soft loan from the OECF (Japan),

(iv)Revenue generated through property development and

(v)Certain decided levies / taxes on the city dwellers.

Enactment of the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978

The proposal of Delhi Metropolitan Rail first of all was conceived in Delhi Master Plan, published in 1960. For the implementation of this Project, the Metro Railway (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 was enacted and Delhi Metro Rail Co. was formulated. The responsibility for implementation of this project was given to Shri Sreedharan by appointing him as Chairman of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. He is also known for the completion of Konkan Railway Project in India before schedule.

Since Delhi Metro Project is a new project for India, therefore, construction expertise of various companies was pooled by formulating their joint venture named KSHI. J.V. The said joint venture alphabetically denotes as

•‘K’ for Kumagai Gumi, a company of Japan specialized in underground metro works.

•‘S’ for Skanska, a company of Sweden specialized in tunnling, diaphragm walls, steel piling and piling etc ,

•‘H’ for Hindustan Construction Limited, a construction specialized company of India which has constructed Calcutta Metro ,

•‘I’ for Itochu, specialized company of Japan,

•‘J’ for joint and ‘V’ for venture.

The architectural services for the above project were rendered by a company named Maunsell, having its base in Australia and Singapore. The survey of Metro Railway track was conducted by Mr. Tommy Trving Chief Surveyer of Skanska a company of joint venture.