The silver bullet: Why everyone loves a Metro, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• India's Metro network has expanded fourfold in the last decade, growing from approximately 250 km to over 1,100 km across 26 cities.
• An additional 900 km of Metro lines are currently under construction, with the government sanctioning 6 km of new lines monthly.
• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), set a benchmark for modern urban transit in India.
• Despite rapid expansion, many newer Metro systems face challenges with low ridership and mounting debts, often meeting only 25% of projected ridership.
• The Metro Rail Policy 2017 emphasizes financial viability and private sector participation in Metro projects.

Detailed Insights:

• The first Metro system in India, the Kolkata Metro, began operations in 1984, but the modern era of Metro expansion started with the Delhi Metro in 2002.
• India's Metro network is set to surpass the 1,400-km subway system of the United States but remains significantly smaller than China's 10,000-km network.
• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs highlights that some Delhi Metro corridors handle over 50,000 passengers during peak hours, demonstrating high capacity utilization.
• Daily ridership across India's Metro networks has exceeded 1 crore, with projections to reach 1.25 crore soon.
• Experts like "Metro Man" E. Sreedharan advocate for Metro planning in cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh, with systems in place by 20 lakh.
• A Metro corridor typically costs between ₹200-300 crore per km for elevated sections and ₹500-1,000 crore per km for underground sections.
• Low ridership is attributed to high fares, which are often necessary for financial viability, and poor last-mile connectivity from stations.
• Critics point out that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) often overestimate ridership projections and underestimate costs, leading to financially unviable projects.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has previously criticized Metro projects, such as Jaipur Metro, for defective planning and hasty decision-making.
• The Metro Rail Policy 2017 mandates evaluating cheaper transport options like buses and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) before committing to costly Metro projects.
• Proponents argue that Metros are essential long-term investments for urban growth, preventing future congestion in smaller cities.
• The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), like the Meerut Metro, represents India's first semi-high-speed rail service for intercity travel.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS): A semi-high-speed rail service designed for intercity travel, connecting regional nodes with high frequency.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC): A joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Delhi, responsible for operating the Delhi Metro and consulting on other Metro projects.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): A governmental agency that provides Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans for various infrastructure projects, including Metro systems in India.
• Metro Rail Policy 2017: A policy framework by the Indian government aimed at standardizing Metro project planning, ensuring financial viability, and promoting private investment and multi-modal integration.
• Detailed Project Report (DPR): A comprehensive document outlining the technical feasibility, financial viability, market potential, and operational roadmap of a project.
• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG): A constitutional authority in India responsible for auditing the receipts and expenditures of the Central and State governments and public bodies.