Urban Development Minister Says Delhi Metro Is Modern India's Pride

November 5, 2009 8:55 a.m. EST

New Delhi, India (AHN) - India's union minister for Urban Development has said that the Delhi Metro transportation system is India's proudest modern achievement. He was addressing members of the consultative committee, attached to the Ministry of Urban Development, on Thursday. The meeting was held to deliberate on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

While most members appreciated the work done by the DMRC, a few thought that toilet and drinking water facilities should be free in the metro stations. At present all metro stations have free toilets, but stations have paid drinking water facilities.

The managing director of DMRC, E. Shreedharan made a presentation on the way the metro has positively affected the capital. He cited a study, carried out by the Central Road Research institute (CRRI) according to which the annual savings by metro passengers (from reduced travel time) will go up by three times in 2009.

He also pointed out the other benefits of the Delhi Metro namely savings from reduced fuel consumption that doubled in 2009 from 2007. Since the Metro started in 2002, there has also been reduction in daily vehicle demand.

Tathagata Bhattacharya, a daily commuter says, "I do not take my car to office anymore. The Metro saves my travelling time. It also saves me the time I would waste sitting in a traffic congestion, which is a regular affair in Delhi during peak hours. The Metro has indeed made life easier for me."

Increased Metro usage will also prevent the emission of 131,395.34 tons of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide from polluting Delhi's atmosphere up to 2009, which is almost a five times increase from 27,614.34 tons in 2007.