In another move to bolster national infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Modi today approved the proposal for a committee to look into and create a national standardization for metro rails in the country. E Sreedharan, more popularly known as India’s ‘Metro Man’ may head the committee as per reports.
Sreedharan is a retired Indian Engineering Services officer who is credited with being the man behind the Delhi Metro. He served as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro from 1995 to 2012. While inaugurating Delhi Metro’s Mundka- Bahadurgarh section earlier today, Prime Minister Modi talked about his government’s vision to build an urban public transit system which is convenient, affordable and comfortable.
Modi stated that on identifying the need for greater coherence and standardisation of metro systems across the country, his government brought out a policy relating to metros. The initiative ‘Make in India’ was also mentioned by him as he stated how India is making metro coaches to boost this particular initiative. India earlier exported such coaches to Australia.
The role of other countries in making Delhi Metro was mentioned by the Prime Minister. The role reversal that has taken place under the incumbent government pertaining to India helping other countries by designing coaches for their metro systems was also stated by the Prime Minister.
According to Modi, the metro coach making initiative is a testament to the ‘co-operative federalism’ that this government wants to promote. Wherever the coaches are being made in India, the central and the state is working together, Modi stated.
The prime minister pointed out the need for smart infrastructure and his governments focus on connectivity. He stated, “New India requires new and smart infrastructure. We have worked on roads, railways, highways, airways, waterways and i-ways. There is unparalleled focus on connectivity and ensuring development projects are completed on time”