Delhi Metro News Update Dated October 30, Hello friends,

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1 Hello friends, Another Delhi Metro news update after a long while! The news for the past few days includes the Metro Ordinance which has come into effect and the continuing saga of centre vs. state government fued over who controls the Metro. DMRC officials on their part are trying to soothe tempers on both sides! Last few weeks were also filled with the announcement of the new Transportation Policy for Delhi. It envisages development of the Metro along with parallel modes of transportation, like buses, trolley buses, high capacity buses, even a tram like light rail for Old Delhi areas! What else is new a total of 4 sets of Delhi Metro trains with 4 cars in rake, have arrived from Korea. The services for Shahdara to Tis Hazari to start from December, although the exact date is not available at this moment. Finally, some cheer for the ailing DTC or Delhi Transport Corporation with the (re) introduction of Mudrika buses on ring road outer and inner, DTC is finally losing less money. It does have a long way to go before breakeven though. For now without further delay, here s the news update ending October 30, All previous news updates (since May 3, 2002), including this one, are available in PDF format at: files/news_update_pdfs/ Cheers! Ashish 1) New technique keeps Metro site jam-free (TOI) 2) Inter-state bus terminals to be built on BOT basis (HT) 3) Metro Ordinace 3a) Metro is different from railways: Maken (HT) 3b) Delhi Govt will run Metro (HT) 3c) Metro Ordinance empowers DMRC not any Govt: Ananth (Pioneer) 3d) Metro Ordinance out, to Sheila s discomfort (Tribune) 3e) Metro allays Govt fears on ordinance (TOI) 3f) Set aside differences over Metro' (Hindu) 3g) Delhi Congress slams Metro ordinance (HT) 3h) Dikshit criticises Centre for Metro Rail ordinance (Asian Age) 3i) Metro Ordinance arbitrary, says Dikshit (Hindu) 3j) Centre wrests Metro from Delhi (Indian Express) 3k) Centre proposes Metro ordinance (HT) 4) Metro train (The Statesman) 5) It's all happening here at Dwarka (Today) 6) More Metro Trains arrive 6a) More Metro trains arrive (Hindu) 6b) Second Metro rail arrives (TOI) 6c) Delhi gets second set of Metro train (Hindu) 7) Transportation Policy 7a) More reforms soon in transport sector (Hindu) 1

2 7b) Plan to smoothen bumpy rides (Indian Express) 7c) Public transport yet to catch the bus (Indian Express) 7d) Transport policy for Delhi... after 50 years (Pioneer) 7e) Govt rolls out Rs 5,546-cr public transport policy (HT) 7f) Light transit planned for Walled City area: Maken (Asian Age) 7g) New integrated city transport plan unveiled (Asian Age) 7h) Mass transit grid to link NCR towns (Tribune) 7i) Electric trolley buses may be inducted in Delhi 7j) Delhi govt's new policy focuses on public transport (TOI) 7k) New transport policy today (TOI) 8) A Metro Rail bridge is coming over your head and you don t know it 9) DTC Woes 9a) Bus passes cost Rs 13 even after 30 years (TOI) 9b) DTC staff baited with bonus (HT) 9c) City buses to get new colour scheme (Pioneer) 9d) New Outer Mudrika bus service from October 24 (Asian Age) 9e) Outer Ring Road gets Mudrikas (Indian Express) 9f) DTC on a comeback trail with Outer Mudrika service (Pioneer) 9g) DTC board divided over tracking system (HT) 9h) Govt asks private firms to run buses 9j) Outer Mudrika Service from October 24 (Tribune) 9k) Mudrika service for outer Ring Road soon (HT) 9l) Govt increases frequency of buses on Ring Road (TOI) 9m) Govts wants buses yellow, smelly CNG 10) Metro gets latest announcement system (Hindu) 11) Metro geared to handle disaster (TOI) 12) Other News 1) New technique keeps Metro site jam-free (TOI) TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, :31:31 PM ] NEW DELHI: A state-of-the-art technology being used to construct the elevated Metro corridor between Tis Hazari and Pratap Nagar has ensured that traffic in this highly congested area is not disrupted. No construction activity encroaches on public space on the surface of the road. This technology is being used in a project in Delhi for the first time. "In fact, Pulbangash is being cited as an example of clean construction in a crowded area. We are not only building quickly, we have also ensured full security at our sites," said a DMRC official. However, despite all the claims of security, most labourers working at the site were without security boots, mandatory for anyone entering the site. A few were without helmets as well. DMRC safety and environment manager Iain Carter did not seem to have an answer. "The contractors are supposed to implement strictures," he said. Delhi 2

3 Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief projects manager Lalit Meghnani, however, said the labourers did not like wearing safety boots. 2) Inter-state bus terminals to be built on BOT basis (HT) (New Delhi, October 30) The Delhi government has decided that new inter-state bus terminals approved for Dwarka and Narela would be constructed on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. All Delhi bound inter-state buses coming from Rajasthan and Haryana on the western side of Delhi will terminate at Dwarka. Buses using Delhi as a junction will have to use the expressway to reach the northern part of Haryana. Buses from the northern states will either terminate at Narela ISBT or will be diverted towards their destinations through the eastern or western expressway. No inter-state buses would be allowed to reach Kashmera Gate ISBT. The Transport Department will continue to operate Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan ISBTs. Transport Minister Ajay Maken said private firms would be asked to construct and operate the two ISBTs. Previously, the Public Works Department constructed all ISBTs but the government found the work unsatisfactory. The building plans for construction of ISBTs at Dwarka and Narela have already been approved. It will be modern facilities with cyber cafes and eating facilities. Bids for the construction of the bus terminals will soon be called. A survey conducted by a private firm has found that state-run ISBTs at Kashmera Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan were in a mess. Kashmera Gate terminal was now a hub for private bus operators who lured passengers at a fare much less than that charged by government-run buses. The facilities for passengers were poor, the information systems were not working, the toilets were filthy and pre-paid taxi and auto booths were non-functional. 3) Metro Ordinace 3a) Metro is different from railways: Maken (HT) (New Delhi, October 30) 3

4 Delhi Government has challenged the basic premise of Central Government to issue an Ordinance stating that metro is a state subject. The legal opinion given to the city government states that since metro was meant to provide local communication services within the territory of Delhi, it would be covered under Entry 13 of subjects falling within the state list. To push its point that metro was different to a railway system, Transport Minister Ajay Maken said metro is confined to just one city. It caters for passengers only, average speed is less with a high rate of acceleration, there are a high number of motored coaches as opposed to trailer coaches, has lightweight bodies, automatic doors, an automatic fare system and a regenerative braking system. All these features are not present in railways, Maken explained. Maken said the Ordinance has left the popularly elected city government with no role to play in DMRC. "Section 4 of article 239 AA of the Constitution clears states that the Lieutenant-Governor has to act on the aid and advice of council of ministers only on subjects on which Delhi Legislative Assembly can formulate rules," Maken said. On other subjects like land and police, which is though under Delhi Government control, the Lieutenant-Governor has final authority to decide as nominee of Central Government. "Likewise, in the case of metro, the Lt.-Governor will have the legal right to overrule advice of Delhi Government. Hence, our role would depend on the L-G," he added. 3b) Delhi Govt will run Metro (HT) (New Delhi, October 30) Union Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday tried to draw curtains on the controversy surrounding the operations of Metro rail. He said Delhi Government would exercise control over the metro through the managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), who will be appointed by it. Delhi Congress leaders, led by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, had slammed the Centre for promulgating the Metro Ordinance which stated that the Commissioner, Safety would be appointed by it. They said that this would take away Delhi Government's control over metro's operations. Speaking to reporters, Ananth Kumar clarified that managing director is a nominee of the Delhi Government. The Ordinance gives day-to-day functional powers to DMRC run by the Managing Director, he said. Delhi Government has higher stake in DMRC as it has eight directors on its board whereas the Centre has only 5, he added. 4

5 Kumar said that Centre would look after technical aspects like safety and even the Delhi government had agreed to it. He accused the city government for delay in finalising the Bill as it did not give its comments for over a year. A three-member committee headed by a judge will be constituted for determining the fare structure, he said. Other members would be nominees of the Delhi Government and the Centre. The official said the Ordinance was important to start the first section of Metro. Tube rail fare facts Cost of travelling in metro between Tis Hazari and Shahdara (8.2 km) will be from Rs 4-7. For every third station, Re 1 extra will be charged. 3c) Metro Ordinance empowers DMRC not any Govt: Ananth (Pioneer) Union Urban Development Minister Mr Ananth Kumar on Wednesday denied that the Delhi Metro Railway (Operation and Maintainence) Ordinance usurped powers of Delhi Government. "The Centre waited for one-and-half years for the suggestions of Delhi Government. On receipt, they were examined by the Union Law Ministry and incorporated in the Ordinance," he said. The Ordinance, added Mr Ananth Kumar, empowers Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), a company where the Centre and the State Governments are equal shareholders, for operations and maintenance. "In practical sense the rules will be made by the Metro Rail Authority (MRA)," said the Minister. "We had written to the Delhi Government in 2000 and had sent many reminders as well," he said. "In fact, the Delhi Government had agreed that the technical and safety aspects should be looked after by the Centre," he informed. The Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Ordinance approved by the Union Government on Monday, according to Mr Ananth Kumar was essential before the first phase of the metro rail system was commissioned in December this year. The first phase of Metro Railway between Shahdara and Tis Hazari will start from December. "It was essential to bring in the ordinance for that," he said. When the Kolkata Metro was set up, a Central Act was promulgated, he informed. The Act had been notified by the UDM in June 2000 to be applicable to Delhi. "However, it was not feasible to borrow provisions from the Kolkata Metro experience since the Operation and Maintainence Temporary Provisions Act could not be extended to other cities. It became necessary to frame separate provisions for Operation and Maintainence of the Delhi Metro" he said. "The Delhi Metro Rail is a non-governmental railway, and is being implemented by a special purpose vehicle," he said. According to Mr Kumar, the Delhi Government had been given substantial influence over the management of the DMRC. The Delhi Government, he added will have its nominee as the Director, who has been delegated maximum authority over the general administration of the metro railway. 5

6 A tarif fixation committee will decide the fare slab for the Metro Railway. This committee, said Mr Kumar, will be headed by a High Court Judge and will have one member each from the Union and State Governments. "Therefore both the Union Government and the Delhi Government have equally important functions in developing the Delhi Metro Rail system," he stated. 3d) Metro Ordinance out, to Sheila s discomfort (Tribune) New Delhi, October 30 President APJ Abdul Kalam has promulgated the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Ordinance The Union Cabinet had on Monday recommended as much to the President. According to a spokesperson of the Union Government, the Ordinance had to be promulgated as a legal framework needed to be in place before the Delhi Metro could begin ferrying commuters sometime in December. The Council of Ministers of the Government of NCT of Delhi trashed the promulgation of the Ordinance, saying the popular, duly elected government had not been consulted at all. Joining issue with the Centre, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday said the promulgation of the Ordinance amounted to interference in the affairs of the NCT of Delhi. She said she would write to the Prime Minister to convey the displeasure of her Ministry over the issue. In a communique released on Wednesday to the media, the Union Government said the Ordinance patterned on the Indian Railways Act would be replaced by a Bill to be introduced in the ensuing Winter Session of Parliament beginning in the latter half of November. With the promulgation of the Ordinance, the DMRC is in a position to begin commercial run. The Delhi Metro will begin ferrying commuters sometime in December after the 8.3-kilometre-long Shahdara-Tis Hazari section of Phase I of the project is thrown open to traffic. The Ordinance provides for a Metro Railway Administration with its own Safety Commissioner for maintaining the service. Operation, maintenance and upkeep of the DMRC is to be regulated in orderly ways under the Ordinance. A Claims Commissioner will go into accidents and resultant compensation in its operation. The provisions for offences and penalties to be prescribed are in consonance with those in the Kolkata Metro Railway and in the Indian Railways Act with suitable enhancement. The chief minister reiterated the Ordinance would have served better had the Council of Ministers been taken into confidence and its views sought. Dikshit felt her Ministry s plans of putting in place an integrated mode of transportation with bus, electric trolley, metro, etc, could be in jeopardy as its success or otherwise would be determined by the rationalisation of fares also. Delhiites will be using the Metro. They should therefore have a say in how to run it, she maintained. Besides determining the tariff, the routes on which the metro would ply are a bone of contention. The Ordinance vests in the Union Government absolute powers to fix tariff, identify routes, etc. The 6

7 first phase of the project has three lines : Shahdara-Trinagar-Barwala, Vishwavidyalaya-Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road-Connaught Place-Dwarka covering a total distance of km. 3e) Metro allays Govt fears on ordinance (TOI) TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, :25:44 PM ] NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials on Wednesday said the Delhi state government's claim, that it was not consulted before the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Ordinance, 2002 was approved by the Centre, was not accurate. They said the state government's fears that the Centre had the upper hand were also unfounded. "All the powers to run the Metro rail have been vested with the DMRC. The central and state governments will hold 50 per cent of the shares each," said a senior DMRC official. The official said the DMRC board of directors would take decisions pertaining to routes, time schedules and frequency of trains. He discounted fears that the state government would not have any say in the running of the Metro, despite being one of financiers of the project. "There may be some misunderstanding on the count that the DMRC chairman will be a nominee of the central government and hence hold more powers. But it is actually the managing director (MD) nominated by the state government who will take crucial decisions," he said. According to the official, five of the members of the board are to be nominated by the Centre, while the state will nominate five others, including the MD. "There will be three other directors attached to the MD. So the state will have eight people on the board who can table its proposals," the official said. A committee comprising a state and central government nominee each and a high court judge will decide the fares. The committee will be headed by the judge. "The DMRC will conduct the surveys and present the reports to the committee for approval. The committee's constitution will ensure that no political ends are served while deciding fares," he said. 3f) Set aside differences over Metro' (Hindu) NEW DELHI OCT. 30. Perturbed that bickering between the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and the Congress Government in Delhi over the Delhi Metro can cause damage to the project, 7

8 some officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation today made a fervent appeal to politicians to set aside their differences for ensuring the continuation and success of the project. Stating that the Ordinance issued by the Centre earlier this week was not aimed at seizing the Delhi Government's powers, sources said it was required as there was "no legal cover in the country for operating Metro''. Since Metro rail is different from normal railway, a legislation is required. And since Railways is a Central subject as per the Constitution, the sources said the Metro Railway Act could only be passed by the Centre. Further, as there was no time to get a Bill passed, the Ordinance was necessitated. The officials insist that it only empowers DMRC to operate Delhi Metro and help in fixation of the fare structure. While for the initial stage the DMRC Board has empowered the Managing Director to set the fares, from the second stage -- which is expected to become operational by September a three member committee headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge nominated by the Supreme Court and comprising one member each of the Centre and Delhi Government would be constituted. The Delhi Transport Minister, Ajay Maken, today confirmed that for the initial operations of the Delhi Metro the fare has been decided. As recommended by the National Council for Applied Economic Research, it would range from Rs 4 to Rs 7 with the fare increasing by a rupee after every two stations. The recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee will be binding on the DMRC, which would seek the services of the panel as and when it would desire. The time schedule would however be decided by DMRC Board on its own. The contention of DMRC is that while five of its members -- including the Managing Director are nominated by the Delhi Government -- and three full time Directors also report to it, the State Government has a majority therein since the Centre also has only five nominated members in the Board. 3g) Delhi Congress slams Metro ordinance (HT) Sheila Dikshit: We were not consulted before issuing the ordinance. While Metro will run in Delhi, the Centre would take all the operational decisions which is absurd. Subhash Chopra: The move to deny the city government legitimate say in the project was an indication of the BJP-led Central government s bid to play petty politics. Mukesh Sharma: If the Centre did not withdraw the ordinance, the DPCC would be forced to adopt strong measures to protect the interest of the people of Delhi. 3h) Dikshit criticises Centre for Metro Rail ordinance (Asian Age) 8

9 New Delhi, Oct. 29: Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday criticised the Union Cabinet for its unilateral decision to promulgate an ordinance on the operation and maintenance of the Delhi Metro Rail and said that the Centre s move was an attack on the democratically elected government. Ms Dikshit said, "The Centre should have consulted Delhi government before taking the decision as the latter is also an equal partner in the Metro project. The Centre has not consulted us even once before taking the decision to promulgate the ordinance." Ms Dikshit was critical of the Centre s move mainly because the ordinance would give almost all powers regarding operation of the Metro Rail in the city to the Union government. The Delhi government had objected earlier after getting the draft of the proposed bill and expressed its intention to bring its own bill so that the right to fix fare and routes could remain with the city government. But, now with the decision to promulgate the ordinance, the right to fix fare and routes would be with the Central government. Although the chief minister refused to comment on point-to-point clause of the ordinance, which will spell out the functions of the Delhi Metro Rail administration and the fare fixation right, she clearly raised her objection over the Centre s unilateral decision in this regard. She said, "The Centre has not even responded to the objections raised by the Delhi government. The Delhi government had sent its objection much in advance, clarifying its stand over the entire issue. But, now the Centre has taken unilateral decision without taking elected representatives of Delhi into confidence." The Union Cabinet on Monday decided to promulgate an ordinance on operation and maintenance of the Metro Rail in the city, spelling out functions of its administration and conferring on it necessary powers. 3i) Metro Ordinance arbitrary, says Dikshit (Hindu) NEW DELHI OCT. 29. Damning the promulgation of an ordinance by the Union Government on the Operations and Maintenance of Delhi Metro Rail as "disappointing and arbitrary'', the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, said that this was yet another instance of the Vajpayee Government's assault on the autonomy of a duly elected Government in the Capital. The Chief Minister told reporters that it was unfortunate that the NDA Government had taken upon itself the rights of an elected Government by indulging in such irresponsible actions. These are violative of the basic spirit of the Constitution and the federal structure. The decision to ignore totally the Delhi Government's point of view has come after the two controversial circulars by the Union Home Ministry curtailing the rights of her Government, she added. The Chief Minister said what was most shocking was that no consultation was held with the Delhi Government by the centre or its representatives before issuing the ordinance. The draft Bill on Metro Rail sent by the Delhi Government was totally ignored and the inputs provided in that were not even 9

10 considered before issuing the ordinance. This was something that made everyone doubt the intentions of the BJP-led Government. Ms Dikshit charged the BJP with indulging in doublespeak and said on one hand they talked about Statehood for Delhi and on the other the Centre was taking decisions against the interests of Delhiites and infringed upon the independent nature of the political set-up in the Capital. Why are the Delhi BJP leaders not protesting such an arbitrary decision, she asked. Stating that the case of Kolkata Metro Rail was different, the Chief Minister said that here the Delhi Government was also funding it and it was responsible for paying back the loan, the situation with Kolkata Metro was different. The entire Kolkata project was under the Union Government that was taking the burden of subsidy and the losses incurred by the operations there. However, in Delhi, it is the people who would be repaying the loan to the Japanese Government and ignoring them in the planning process would prove fatal for the BJP. Asked about the plan of action of her Government, the Chief Minister she was yet to be officially informed about the ordinance and when it is done, the Government would react accordingly. But one thing was quite clear: the people of Delhi and its elected representatives feel betrayed by the actions of the Central Government. Similarly, the Delhi Transport Minister, Ajay Maken, said the action of the Union Cabinet's nod to the Ordinance was fraught with dangerous consequences for the people of Delhi. What is most unfortunate is that the control to fix fares for Delhi Metro Rail would now rest with the Union Government or the authority it nominates. Any hike in fares in future would be in the hands of the Delhi Government. This was something unimaginative and beyond comprehension. If the contents of the ordinance being circulated are true, then the future clearance of corridors and routes would also be at the pleasure of the Union Government. Interestingly while the Union Cabinet has cleared the ordinance for the Metro Rail, it is still to give clearance to the Barakhamba-Dwarka corridor that has been pending with it for three months. In fact, this corridor has been cleared by the Group of Ministers, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, but has reportedly been stalled in the Union Urban Development Ministry. 3j) Centre wrests Metro from Delhi (Indian Express) Express News Service New Delhi, October 28: THE Central government today made it clear that the Metro Railway was its baby alone and, overlooking the Delhi government s demands, announced the promulgation of an Ordinance on the operation and maintenance of the rapid transit system in Delhi. The Ordinance spells out the functions of its administration and confers necessary powers on it. The decision today came in spite of objections raised by the Delhi government over the proposed legislation a couple of months back. Lambasting the Union Cabinet decision, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the move was extremely unfair, uncalled for and impractical. It is a direct hit on our autonomy and the move smacks of petty politics. It is surprising that the Central government would try to usurp the powers of a small state government, she said. 10

11 The Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Ordinance 2002 would be replaced by a Bill to be introduced in the ensuing winter session of Parliament beginning mid-november, an official spokesperson said. The Ordinance makes provisions for appointment of Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety and other installations for ensuring safety of passengers. It is only after his report of inspection to the effect that the Metro Railway can be opened to the public without any danger to them and sanction by the Central government that a Metro Railway shall be permitted to operate, the spokesperson said. The clause which is likely to prick Delhi government the most is the setting up of a fare fixation committee by the Centre. The right to decide the routes on which the Metro will run will also rest with the Centre. The right to decide routes on which the Metro will run will also rest with the Centre. Said Dikshit: We are planning to set up a fare regulatory authority which will integrate the fares of all modes of transport. How can we go ahead with it if the fares of the Metro are decided separately by the Central government?, she said. The commissioner will be vested with requisite powers to enquire into an accident involving the Metro Railway. The ordinance will provide powers to the Metro Railway administration to enter into working arrangements with other agencies in connection with its working. It would also make provisions for laying down the fare structure on the recommendations of the fare fixation committee, to be set up by the Centre. This committee would have a maximum term of three months. According to the Ordinance, the Centre would be empowered to scrutinise the work of the Metro Railway administration and also issue directions, as it deems fit, which would be binding on the administration. The Ordinance makes it clear that the Metro Railway would be operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, a government-owned company. Both the Centre and Delhi government are equal shareholders in the company. The only sign of sharing of powers which the Ordinance suggests is that the chairman of the company would be the nominee of the Centre s while the managing director would be nominated by Delhi government. Setting up of a fare fixation committee by the Central Government to fix the fares of the metro. 3k) Centre proposes Metro ordinance (HT) (New Delhi, October 21) As the first section of Metro Rail between Shahdara and Tis Hazari is due to be inaugurated in December this year, the Centre will promulgate a Presidential Ordinance to empower the Delhi 11

12 Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to operate and maintain the Rs 8,000-crore Delhi Metro Rail network. The Presidential Ordinance is necessitated as the first section of Metro Rail between Shahdara and Tis Hazari is due to be thrown open for public use in December this year. Since the Winter Session of Parliament will commence only next month and certain commercial contracts have to be put in place to empower the DMRC to operate and maintain the network, the Centre has proposes the Ordinance. The Ordinance will cover various aspects of administration of the Metro Railways in the Capital that includes fixing of fares as well as a regulator for dealing with commuters' grievances and complaints. Sources said that once the Union Cabinet clears the proposed Ordinance on Tuesday, it would be forwarded to President Abdul Kalam for consent. The Ordinance will also empower the Centre to decide on setting up metro rail networks in other cities, their operation and maintenance as well as administration. DMRC, as per the Ordinance, will be allowed to enter into joint venture agreements with other state governments to develop metros in other metropolitan cities. Most provisions in the ordinance relate to functioning of metro railways, its administration, safety and inspection. The Ordinance also provides for settling claims of consumers, empowering the DMRC to enter into other agencies for development of property, commercial deals as well as setting up tariff fixation committee to determine the fares. Stringent provisions in the Ordinance also empower the Centre to issue directives to DMRC on rules and regulations relating to metro rail administration. Penal provisions also figure prominently which provide for checks and balances in the administration of metro railways. DMRC is a 50:50 joint venture between the Delhi Government and Centre. As per the initial agreement, while both partners would pitch in equity funds worth Rs 1,458 crore, the major chunk of Rs 3,402 crore comes as a loan from Japan. Since the cost of Metro Rail project is expected to go up to Rs 8000 crore, proportionately both Centre, Delhi Government and Japan will have to pump in extra equity and debt funds. Japanese major, Pacific Consultants International has been retained as the main consultant to the mega project. Metro pointers * Later this year, the Presidential Ordinance will be replaced by the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) 1978 Act. A bill will be introduced in Parliament during the Winter Session for the same. * After the Shahdara-Tis Hazari section is operational, the second section between Tis Hazari and Tri Nagar would be launched in September next year. Most parts of the city will be connected by September

13 4) Metro train (The Statesman) New Delhi 16 October, 2002 The second metro train for Delhi Mass Transit System arrived today from South Korea. According to DMRC Press release, two more trains have reached Kolkata port by ship and being brought to Delhi. Each train set consists of four cars and coaches, two driving cars and two trailer cars, which can carry about 1500 passengers at a time. A total of 240 coaches will be made available for the first phase of metro project. 5) It's all happening here at Dwarka (Today) New Delhi 11 October, 2002 Dwarka has finally arrived. From the 2 Metro Rail to the IT Park, this South-West Delhi area has become the destination for most of the prestigious projects undertaken by the Delhi government. With the Delhi Cabinet deciding to invite private participation in capital work projects, the ones that were the first to get a green light under this scheme were a 500-bed hospital, the campus of the Guru Gobind Singh University and an inter-state bus terminal all at Dwarka. What has sparked the Dwarka rush is the fact that the huge sub city on the southern fringe of and Delhi has appeared on the Metro to Rail map. In a major decision earlier this the year, the Delhi Cabinet replaced the Metro Rail's Trinagar- Nangloi corridor approved for implementation in the first phase with the kilometre-long Barakhamba Road-Patel Nagar-Dwarka corridor. This phase is expected to be completed by 2005 at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore. About 22 stations have been planned across this route and about 1,400 standard buses and 200 mini buses would be required to operate the proposed 133 feeder routes. The Delhi government has also proposed to build its own IT park over I 00 acres at Pappan Kalan, Dwarka Phase II. This hi-tech city will provide state-of-the-art facilities for software firms and the telecommunication industry. It will offer both developed plots and built-up space for companies to make their own campuses. What's more, it will also have the latest data communication and networking facilities, including satellite connectivity. 6) More Metro Trains arrive 6a) More Metro trains arrive (Hindu) 13

14 NEW DELHI OCT. 30. With two more Metro trains arriving in Delhi from South Korea via Kolkata last night, all the four sets of these trains -- having four cars (coaches) each -- which will begin commercial operations in December this year when the 8.3-km stretch between Shahdara and Tis Hazari will be opened for passenger movement, have now reached their final destination. A statement issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation today said that while two of the train sets arrived last night, the other two have already reached Delhi. While one of them is undergoing tests at the Shastri Park Train Depot, the second is undergoing trial runs on the main line between Shahdara and Tis Hazari. 6b) Second Metro rail arrives (TOI) TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, :37:14 PM ] NEW DELHI: The second Metro Rail, to run on the Shahdara-Tis Hazari corridor from December this year, arrived in the city on Tuesday. This fully imported train will be one of the four trains to run on the first metro rail corridor. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has imported this train from South Korea. According to DMRC officials, two more train sets have arrived at the Kolkata port and would soon be brought to Delhi. The second set of train has been sent to Shastri Park depot. Before it is made operational, the train would face trial runs at this depot. According to DMRC officials, each of the four trains to run on Shahdara-Tis Hazari route has a carrying capacity of 1,500 passengers. Each train set has four coaches and can carry 380 passengers at one time. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to import 60 coaches from South Korea before it sets up a manufacturing base in Delhi. "For the metro train network, we would need 240 coaches. While 60 will be fully imported, the remaining will be progressively indegenised in Delhi," The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation official said. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation conducted the trail run of its first set of train last month. Officials said all 50 sub-systems of the train have been checked. "We would soon start checking the new set of train which arrived on Tuesday," an official said. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation plans to have four coaches per train for the first phase of metro rail operations. According to officials, in the subsequent phases, eight coaches would be added to each train. 14

15 The platforms have also been designed to accommodate eight coaches and about 3,000 passengers at one time. The metro rail will run on the frequency of one train every three minutes. Officials said this frequency would be maintained during the peak hours in the morning and evening. In the first metro corridor from Shahdara to Tis Hazari, the train would cover a distance of 8.3 kilometres. 6c) Delhi gets second set of Metro train (Hindu) NEW DELHI OCT. 15. Moving a step closer to the long awaited dream of Metro rail, the second set of Metro train for the Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) arrived in Delhi today from South Korea. Each train set consists of four cars (coaches) comprising two driving cars and two trailer cars. Each coach has the capacity to carry 350 people. The first Metro train, which arrived on August 30, is already undergoing trials in which all the sub-systems are being thoroughly checked. The trial run for the first train was flagged off by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, last month. 7) Transportation Policy 7a) More reforms soon in transport sector (Hindu) NEW DELHI OCT. 26. Apart from introducing major technological changes in the transportation and traffic signal system, the Transport Department of the Delhi Government has drawn up an ambitious scheme to make the public transport system in the Capital user-friendly. And upgradation of commuter amenities tops the list of these priorities which would include training programmes for drivers and conductors to make them responsive and helpful to the passengers. If the introduction of the Auto Helpline was the beginning, then a slew of measures have been lined up for the benefit of commuters. Apart from going ahead with the Unified Draft Time Table for the buses, both private and DTC, the Sheila Dikshit Government, which has decided to accord top priority to public transport, is all set to change the profile of local transport in favour of the consumers. And not only the senior citizens but also the physically challenged would be taken care of under the new scheme of things. ``We intend to genuinely promote the slogan of `My Delhi I Care' slogan by taking revolutionary measures. For long, the interests of the commuters have been ignored by successive Governments and now we intend to change this,'' remarked the Delhi's Transport Minister, Ajay Maken, the man behind the reforms being ushered in the transport sector. But he is quick to point out that it was the 15

16 Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, who has been the binding force behind all these reforms and initiatives first in the power sector and then in transport. Mr. Maken revealed that very soon the Department proposed to come out with route guide maps and folders, giving information about the various bus routes in the Capital and the services being offered to the commuters. It would outline the timing of the buses and also the destinations. These maps and folders would be available at all the ISBTs, information centres and other significant places. In addition to this, the Department also proposed to come out with fare charts of point-to-point destination. These charts, apart from being made available at strategic points would also be distributed among the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) who would be asked to distribute them in their respective areas. An awareness campaign would be launched with the help of RWAs to ensure that this drive benefits those travelling by autorickshaws and taxis. The Transport Minister said that the Department proposed to interact and tie up with the Traffic Police to open more pre-paid taxi and autorickshaw booths. Apart from the ISBTs, it is being contemplated that such booths could be possibly opened in major residential colonies, commercial complexes and shopping plazas across the Capital. In addition to this, efforts are also underway to upgrade the pre-paid system including enabling the drivers to encash their receipts at any of the centres instead of one centre. Mr. Maken said it was also being contemplated by the Department to have raised platforms at the bus stops and the ISBTs to make it handicap-friendly. Apart from looking for lower floor options for any new acquisition of buses, especially in the private sector, raised platforms to enable wheelchairs and handicapped people to board the buses easily are also in the pipeline. In addition to this, Mr. Maken said that instructions are being given that in any future design of bus stops, ISBTs and other related infrastructure, the interests of the physically challenged be kept in mind. 7b) Plan to smoothen bumpy rides (Indian Express) Express News Service New Delhi, October 22: For the first time an ambitious policy document packed with every imaginable issue related to transport in Delhi, was made public by the government today. Tackling Urban Transport Operating Plan, will address transport sector-related problems in Delhi and aims at making motorists give up their personal vehicle and use the public transport. Electric trolley buses on certain corridors, light railway tram system in the Walled City, highcapacity buses that with a seating capacity of 200, more pre-paid booths for autorickshaws, two brand new ISBTs, and an integrated transport body that decides the tariff are the key plans which will see the light of day soon. If the government keeps its word, commuting in Delhi may be a lot less harrowing an experience than it is currently. 16

17 "The mess that the public transport system is in the city is only because no attention has been paid to it over the years," said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, after releasing the policy today. Fifty five key areas have been identified and three time bound phases have been allotted to implement the key points. The key point in the first phase, which will take six months to implement, is invitation for tenders from private parties to run buses in the city in groups of 50 and the setting up of an Integrated Metropolitan Transport Authority to oversee tariff determination and regulation in transport. A total of 33 tasks have been identified which will be completed within six months. The branch of the Transport Department responsible for the completion of each task has also been identified. The second phase, which will take one year to implement, has nine key tasks while the third phase to be completed in five years has 12 key tasks. The policy takes into account the growth in the vehicular population over the years and the changes which will come about. Twenty five tasks related to the transport sector but which need to be implemented by other agencies (MCD, NDMC, PWD) have also been listed in the plan: Parking facilities to be upgraded, removal of encroachments from footpaths and the construction of cycle corridors on will have to be undertaken by the MCD and the NDMC. Delhi s population is expected to grow to about 230 lakh by 2021 and the demand in transport sector may grow to 279 lakh trips. To take care of this, the city needs to be mapped using both Metro and high-capacity buses, says the policy. 7c) Public transport yet to catch the bus (Indian Express) Express News Service New Delhi, October 22: TRANSPORT in Delhi is in a mess due to the increasing number of private vehicles which prevented the concept of mass commuting like in Mumbai, feel experts. The transport policy, which was announced by the Delhi government today, is a move long due, they say. "The Central Pollution Control Board did a study in 1995 and recommended high capacity buses in Delhi," said Central Pollution Control Board chairman Dilip Biswas. "If private vehicles continue to grow the way they are it will only lead to chaos," Biswas added. He praised the move to create a unified transport authority and said planning the country s transport sector should be given to professionals. "There have to be mid-course corrections and only a dedicated group of town planners and specialists can do the job," said Biswas. "Civic agencies have to be involved in the entire process because they control the roads that we travel on. We have to sit down with them as well," said Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Training Education. The announcements made today were for everyone to see and judge, he said. 17

18 Fifty five years after Independence there was still no concrete plan to manage the transport sector in the country. "The poor have to be kept in mind while framing any policy because they will be the largest chunk of people who will use public transport," said Baluja. High capacity buses would reduce pollution in the city, experts said. "Per unit pollution caused by public transport is much less than that caused by private vehicles," said the Central Pollution Control Board. Some experts, however, raised doubts about how effective the government s plan would be."it is very difficult to move people away from the culture of using personal cars," said T.S. Reddy, area coordinator of Central Road Research Institute. In 30 years the share of mass transport system has more or less remained the same, Reddy said. 7d) Transport policy for Delhi... after 50 years (Pioneer) Delhi finally got its first transport policy, the first in 50 years of Independence. And the policy promises an array of facilities for the commuters -electric trolley buses on select corridors, high capacity CNG buses and implementation of bus lanes on the road. And to top it all a new metro, albeit lighter than the one ready for launch, for the walled city. In all, the Delhi Government will implement 42-odd commuter-friendly plans within one year and dozen other mega plans within the next five years. An announcement to this effect was made by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Transport Minister Ajay Maken at a Press conference on Tuesday. Ms Dikshit said that the Delhi Government has already approved Rs crore in the 10th Plan ( ) for the proposed urban transport system. "City Government is committed to introduce long-term transport policy to cater to the needs of people. Earlier, we had announced the city Government's policy on Power reforms. Now, we are bringing a policy statement and operation plan for a user friendly transport system in the city," said Ms Dikshit. "In order to make the transport system user-friendly, the Delhi Government will introduce a unified time table for buses and metro, point-to-point fare chart for taxis and autos, route guide maps, helpline for bus, taxi and auto-rickshaw passengers, and more pre-paid taxi/auto-rickshaw booths in the Capital," said the Chief Minister. "A Light Rail Transit (LRT) system will be introduced in the in the congested Walled City area of the Capital. On the other hand, the Delhi Government had decided to introduce high capacity bus system on selected corridors of hundred kilometres and electric trolley buses on selected corridor of 32 kilometres," she said. 18

19 "Other than regular modes of transportation, Intermediate Public Transport System (IPT) will be introduced as feeder service to the main mass transport system to provide accessible movement in pre-designated areas," she said. Ms Dikshit said that neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have also been roped in to augment the process of Integrated Rail Based Transport System. Transport Minister Ajay Maken said that the role of neighbouring states will start from those points where the city's transport system concludes on the borders of Haryana and UP. "We will also need the support of the Union Railway Ministry and Union Urban Development Ministry to introduce Integrated Rail Based Transport System in the Capital," he said. Mr Maken said that implementation of the entire project will require the formation of Integrated Metropolitan Transport Authority. "Before this Authority comes into existence, city Government will constitute Delhi Transport Planning Group under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to launch several people-friendly projects," claimed the Minister. Keeping in view the safety of school children, Chief Minister announced that stringent testing mechanism will be adopted for checking the road worthiness of school buses. "The Transport Department of Delhi Government will introduce comprehensive training to the drivers and conductors of school buses and also improve the design of buses ferrying the school children," said Ms Dikshit and added that awareness programmes will be launched on road safety and school buses. Highlights Electric Trolley Buses (ETB) to be introduced on the following routes: 1. Hari Nagar, Lajwanti Garden, Kirby Place, Dhaula Kuan, Willingdon Cresent, Talkatora Stadium and Central Secretariate (16 km) 2. Badarpur, Sarita Vihar, Ashram Chowk, Humayun Tomb, Sunder Nagar, Pragati Maidan (16 km) This project is to be implemented within two years Light Rail Transport (LRT) to be introduced on the following sections of Walled City: Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Shraddha Nand Bazar, Delhi Gate and Chawri Bazar This project will be implemented within two years High Capacity Bus System to be introduced on five priority routes: 19