If there's one thing that sets the upcoming Delhi Metro apart, it's the manner in which it is being implemented. Despite construction work going on in heavily congested areas like Connaught Place, ISBT and Sadar Bazar, the inconvenience caused to the public has been minimal. Community meetings are held before every stage of construction so that people are duly informed and are prepared. Strict guidelines are adhered to so that construction work is enclosed and traffic disruptions avoided. Post-construction, all dug-up roads and pavements are promptly restored to their original state, if not to a better condition. To a large extent, the credit for this goes to E. Sreedharan, managing director, DMRC. The unrelenting 68-year-old Railways executive, who was also behind the Rs 3,500-crore Konkan Railway Project, spoke to India Today Special Correspondent Malini Goyal about the progress of the project. Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Q. How would you sum up your experience at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation?
A. My experience has been good. I have received ample support from all quarters --- the Government, the courts and the people. All of them understood the need and importance of a metro rail in a city like Delhi. Even courts refused to entertain frivolous PILs filed against land eviction etc which unnecessarily delay such projects. Also to the Government's credit, it gave me a free hand to pick people and implement the project. So far, I have not faced any political or bureaucratic pressures.

Q. Were there any lessons from the Konkan Railway project?
A. Konkan Railway taught me two important lessons: that technical and financial problems can jeopardise the project. At that time, I underestimated the technical problems. Also, money in sight is not the same as money in the pocket. The Konkan project got delayed by two years simply because money was not available.
I am now keeping these things in mind. We try and make payments for all bills raised within seven days so that there is no delay due to financial reasons. Often, to get the sanctioned money released, our men even sit and type the orders. We all realise that a delay by a day may cost us anything between Rs 2-3 crore.

Q. A good percentage of the staff at DMRC have come on deputation from the Railways. But still the work culture is far from that of a PSU. How has this been possible?
A. All the staff at DMRC have been handpicked by me. And I have done elaborate checks on them --- on their integrity and track record --- before taking them on. Once here, I gave them full freedom to work. Also, the management structure is flat which encourages quick decision-making. Out of the 450 staff, more than 350 are technical. We have no clerks and no peons.

Q. Is there any major problem you are facing at DMRC?
A. As far as the first phase of the Delhi Metro is concerned, it will proceed like clockwork. Everything for this phase has been tied up and there is no reason for the project to get delayed. But what worries me is the total lack of planning or thinking on the part of the Government for phase II or metros for other cities. There are at least seven-eight cities in the country with a population over two million, but there's no mention of a metro even in the 10th Plan.

Q. What has been the basis for selecting routes for the metro phase I in Delhi? Which are the routes that you would recommend for phase II?
A. We have focussed on heavy traffic routes. And that is the reason why the first phase covers the two railway stations, ISBT and Connaught Place --- the high traffic areas. This will not only help divert huge traffic from roads to the metro but also help establish the comercial viability of the project. For the second phase, I would recommend Connaught Place-Dilshad Garden and the Central Secretariat-Vasant Kunj corridor which will approximately cost Rs 5,000 crore at present-day price levels.

Q. What changes do you envisage with the Delhi Metro?
A. Metro will give people a comfortable, affordable ride within the city. The fares have not been finalised but it will not be very expensive as compared to DTC bus fares. There are plans to start a feeder bus service by DTC for ferrying passengers to and from stations to the neghbouring colonies. Smart cards, which will be used to collect fares from the passengers, will also be valid in these buses, thus making commuting hassle-free.
The advantage of being late is that you can leapfrog technology. And that's what we have done. Even the safety mechanism and operations of the train are very modern --- operations are fully automated. Theoretically, the train can run even without a driver with all controls being managed from a centralised computer network.

Q. Calcutta Metro is still making losses. Do you expect this one to be commercially viable?
A. As of now, the plan is to let DMRC manage the operations. Almost 95 per cent of the metros worldwide are government-owned and managed. While globally the norm is to have 40-45 people per kilometre, here we will have eight-nine people per shift per kilometre. Security staff will be outsourced. Due to heavy traffic expected in Delhi, I expect DMRC to generate an annual revenue of Rs 300 crore while operational expenditure is likely to be Rs 120 crore. Property development and advertisements are likely to contribute 10 per cent of the total revenue. Hong Kong gets close to 20 per cent of its revenue from property development.

Q. How difficult will it be for the corporation to maintain hygiene and cleanliness at Metro Rail?
A. While at the planning stage, we have taken care in selecting coaches that require little maintenance. We will also have automatic car wash machines to clean coaches. As for hygiene, look at Calcutta Metro. People get used to certain standards and adjust accordingly. The same will happen here. Yes, in the beginning, it will be difficult. But we are planning to have very strict punitive measures like on-the-spot fines of Rs 150 for spitting etc. None of our stations will vend any eatables inside the station.

Q. Your term at DMRC matures in November 2002. What happens to DMRC after you retire?
A. DMRC has acquired a certain culture. I have lined up people of various age groups. I have even identified my successor here. We are trying to make this place attractive from the career point of view as well. I see no reason why DMRC will not function as smoothly after me.

Q. What are your plans after retirement?
A. I have got many offers. But I do not want to work any more. I intend shifting base to my village in Trichur and take up meditation full time.