DMRC looks to go global: Anuj Dayal

By Ahmad Shariq Khan

Anuj Dayal the Executive Director of DMRC in an exclusive interview with Ahmad Shariq Khan, The Dollar Business, talks about the journey of DMRC, its challenges in constructing over 200 kms of Metro lines in Delhi in record time, the Make in India initiative and how the mammoth project influenced him to pen down a management manual that could be useful for future planners.

1. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) began its journey in the late 1990s, and since then has connected Delhi with the National Capital Region, spanning 213 km across the region. How do you see the journey so far? Tell us about your priority for DMRC.

Ans: The journey so far has been exciting as well as satisfying. We had to face many challenges and obstacles, but we still managed to construct over 200 kilometres of Metro lines in record time. In fact, Delhi Metro’s construction is among the fastest anywhere in the world, with the exception of China. The smiles on the faces of our commuters give us a great deal of satisfaction. Going forward, our focus is now to further expand the Metro network to all corners of the National Capital Region so that it becomes the engine of growth for the entire region.

2. What is your current fleet size and network strength? Please tell us about your expansion plans on this front and your future investment plans in the country.

Ans: Presently, Delhi Metro operates a fleet of over 200 train sets of four, six and eight coaches on a network of 213 kilometres. We carry about 2.7 million people every day and operate from 6 am to 11 pm. Under Phase 3, about 160 kilometres of new lines are being laid, out of which about 22 have been operationalized. New trains, capable of eventually running without drivers are being procured and some of these hi-tech trains are already undergoing trials.

3. Today, DMRC has gone global, with its consultancy wing helping construction projects of metro networks in other countries. Can you tell us about such global endeavours? What makes DMRC tick for such projects?

Ans: On the international front, DMRC has completed a Special Assistance on Project Implementation (SAPI) study for the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System in Indonesia. It is also acting as a project consultant for Dhaka Metro where it helps in the preparation of specification and manuals, taking care of safety and health aspects, traffic integration, training, making an advisory on systems, transport network planning, and framing operation and maintenance rules for the Dhaka MRT-6 project. A lot of cities from the nearby countries have approached us because we have a proven record of constructing and operating our Metro with great efficiency. We have also provided consultancy effectively to many Indian cities planning or constructing their Metro systems. Professional project management, low cost and quality output are our buzzwords.

4. These are global times, and being at the helm of DMRC, what parallels and contrasts are you able to draw from other similar projects operational across the world. What strengths and shortcomings do you see in Delhi Metro and how do you plan to overcome them?

Ans: We continuously analyse our strengths and weaknesses and try to improve our output. We are a member of a global body of Metro systems, which helps in sharing our experiences and in receiving feedback from other systems across the world. Our challenges are with adherence to completion of targets, effective financial as well as human resource management and professional delivery of services to the commuters. We are continuously striving to achieve these objectives.

5. In order to mitigate carbon footprints, DMRC in recent times has been focussing on maximising the use of renewable energy including exploring the possibility of getting solar power from off-site plants. Please tell us about your endeavours on this front.

Ans: DMRC is committed to taking every possible step for the preservation of the environment. We have formulated a solar policy through which we intend to have solar power facilities up to 20 MW by 2017 and 50 MW by 2021. We have already commissioned 6.3 MW and have awarded contracts for another 20 MW. DMRC is also working towards installing an offsite solar power facility with a generation capacity of 500 MW so that it can draw its entire power requirement without depending on external sources.

6. How do you see the Make in India plan and how is DMRC contributing towards that endeavour? The Central Government wants 'Make in India' to be promoted by DMRC by way of manufacturing of various components, including its rolling stock. Can you please enlighten us more on that?

Ans: Following the ‘Make in India’ programme, sustained indigenization initiatives were taken by the DMRC, which has resulted in 90 percent of the Delhi Metro trains being manufactured in India. Contract conditions mandating indigenization have resulted in major coach manufacturing companies setting up production facilities within the country. Manufacturing units set up to supply Metro trains to DMRC are now engaged in manufacturing coaches that are exported to Queensland and Sydney Metros in Australia.
The conditions in the DMRC train contract mandates a cap on an upper limit of 25% for production abroad while the balance contract order has to be manufactured in India either through tie-ups or through a wholly owned subsidiary. The quality of the final product does speak about the effective quality assurance in Local Manufacturing programs in India. As a result, three Metro coach manufacturing units have already been established in India. While Bombardier Transportation has a unit in Savli, Gujarat, the state owned Bharat Earth Movers Limited has a unit in Bengaluru. Alstom has also established a new facility at Sricity near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Besides manufacturing coaches in the country, 18 major sub-systems of these coaches, have also been indigenized in the country in a phased manner. In all other sectors of Metro construction and operations, indigenisation initiatives have been under taken. The contract conditions set by DMRC ask foreign players to have Indian partners so that technology and skill transfer to Indian companies can be encouraged.

7. The Ministry is encouraging Metro rail to augment revenue generation models. It believes, Metro corporations should develop small business centres near stations. Can you tell us how DMRC plans to assist any business and trade related activity such as freight/exports/imports and supply chain activities in India.

Ans: DMRC today generates about 20% of its revenues from property development activities. It has developed an IT park in Shastri Park, where many multinational companies operate. Many stations have attached malls or space for shops. This helps us to keep the ticket prices low. DMRC will definitely support any initiative towards augmenting its non-ticketing revenues.

8. As a communication expert, you have also written a book titled “25 Management Strategies for Delhi Metro” which provides insights into how a project of such magnitude was executed with finesse and brilliance. Can you detail on the lessons that you presented therein?

Ans: The book is primarily a management manual detailing how Delhi Metro could achieve tremendous success. I have elaborated how proper functioning contributed to its success. Many interesting aspects such as target orientation, financial management, focus on punctuality in the workplace and operations, cleanliness, safety, importance of public relations have been explained in lucid language so that future planners of such mammoth infrastructure projects can benefit from the book.

9. Going forward, Smart Transportation for Smart Cities seems to be the agenda for DMRC. Please tell us about your efforts in realising this dream.

Ans: Comfortable and eco-friendly transportation is extremely important in the growth of any urban centre. In the present era, almost all Indian cities suffer from problems such as road congestion and pollution. Therefore, there is a requirement of a transport system which can carry a large number of people from one point to another without obstructing traffic or causing pollution, and Metro rail can be an effective answer to such requirements. The government is also encouraging all cities with a population of over one million to go for Metro systems. We at DMRC, are trying to share our expertise with all cities by acting as consultants for these upcoming Metros. We have also carried out the construction of a Metro section in Jaipur and are engaged in a similar capacity in another stretch in Jaipur, Kochi, Vijayawada and Mumbai.