New Delhi: Extending support to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to go international in terms of providing assistance to other metro networks around the world, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Saturday said that the Delhi government would be proud to partner it overseas.
"DMRC has conceptualises itself as an international organisation. You (DMRC) should start branching out. We would be proud to partner you overseas," Jung said at the 20th foundation day celebration of the DMRC.
The Governor said, "I don't think that we should restrain a company of such caliber of advancing and going international to bring laurels to India." He, however, refused to comment on former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit's opinion of not allowing DMRC to take many projects out of the city.
"I have been in this game for 40 years and you cannot get the answer to this from me," he said. In his address, Jung said that whenever Delhi's history of the 20th century would be written, DMRC's name would be mentioned in "golden letters".
He further said that Delhi Metro had put India's name as a country that is capable of executing large projects in a magnificent manner and suggested that Delhi Metro with its expertise should take up more international Metro projects.
Jung addressed the gathering in the presence of DMRC chairman Sudhir Krishna, Delhi government chief secretary SK Srivastava and DMRC MD Mangu Singh. Krishna, in his address said, "The Delhi Metro has become synonymous with the identity of Delhi" and also lauded DMRC for its efforts towards indigenising Metro technology in India.
Speaking on various DMRC projects underway, MD Mangu Singh said that all the projects will be operational in a time-bound manner. "All trains will be operational and ready on the scheduled date." On the Central Secretariat and Mandi House corridor, he said, "the train is ready for operations, we will throw the line open to public once we get the permission for it."
On the other lines under phase III, which will bring another 140 kms to the existing 190 kms metro line in the national capital, Singh said, the Faridabad extention, Jehangirpuri-Badli corridors would be operational by the year end.
However, he said that the NOIDA line would not be operated by the DMRC. "The Noida, Gr Noida line is not ours (DMRC). We will make the line for Noida authority. How they will run it that will be seen later. Sector 32 will be station for passenger interchange. We cannot extend that line as it already goes on till Dwarka," Singh said.
Speaking on Delhi government's order to DMRC on increasing the frequency of Delhi-bound trains, Jung said, "We have not given any such instructions that frequency of trains should be more in Delhi and not in NCR."
"There is no difference between Delhi and NCR now. Those who are staying in Delhi are working in NCR or vice versa. So we believe that equal amenities should be provided to people in this region," he said.
Echoing the same, DMRC MD said, "It's difficult to differentiate between the people working or residing in NCR and Delhi as people keep travelling to and fro day in and day out. We will only reduce frequency in those areas where the passenger footfall is less. The frequency totally depends upon the commuters and footfall." Lauding the efforts of DMRC in ensuring credibility and time-bound implementation of projects, Jung said, "DMRC has overcome many obstacles like population, traffic etc, with finesse. The way metro works here is very unique. DMRC's intellectual and financial integrity is a benchmark and the time-bound implementation stands out as an example for future projects."
DMRC Chairman Krishna congratulated the metro system for revolutionising the future of mass rapid transport system in the country especially with respect to the punctuality of the metro system. "Delhi Metro is the backbone of the NCR, which is increasing rapidly. They have redefined punctuality norms to 59 seconds. Last year, DMRC has reported 99 per cent punctuality," Krishna said.
He also appreciated DMRC's efforts to help Delhi Transport system in bringing out a Single Fare Travel card to ensure smooth and easy commuting in the city. DMRC last year has reported 13.7 per cent more passengers than any other year and the profit from fare collection has also increased by 15 per cent despite the increasing input cost, Mangu Singh said.
Singh said that as part of the Delhi Metro's third phase of expansion, DMRC had already constructed viaducts and tunnels more than Delhi Metro's entire Phase 1 in the last two years. "Progress in Phase III till date is viaducts over 30 kms have been completed and 15 kms of tunneling has been done, which is equivalent to the entire civil work of Phase 1. We are as per schedule for completing Phase III on time," he said.
The Malviya Nagar Metro station was adjudged the 'Best Metro Station' while Tirender Kumar Bhati, Assistant Station Manager/NOIDA City Centre and Golf Course stations received the Metro Person of the year award.
The Metro Women of the Year award was given to Sneha Saini, Train Operator/ Dwarka Crew Control. Besides, 41 more employees from various departments were also awarded for their meritorious performance. For the first time, two employees from the Central Industrial Security Force were awarded for their contribution towards maintaining security in DMRC.
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