The Timeline: Delhi Metro
Sitting in the Deli metro many of use may have thought, “yaar ye kitna deti hogi“ (“ How much mileage will it give”).Delhi metro has been awarded the title to be one of the cleanest and least polluting trains in the world by using techniques such as Regenerative Braking and Using electricity generated by solar plants owned by DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation).
Many of us might not know that the project to build a sustainable transport started in 1998. If you are old enough you might have stuck in the traffic or dodge the buses which was poorly managed and even poorly driven or even worse waited for a bus while you were being late to reach somewhere and when the bus arrived it was overcrowded, with guts you stepped on the bus only to find that the driver is crazy, driving the bus as his father’s Ferrari.
These were the major problems back in the 90s (not that it’s completely solved now but the condition have improved tremendously in past couple of decades) which was increasing day by day with increase in population , which increased 5 folds between 1981 and 1988, ti conquer this problem the Central Government and the Government of Delhi together founded a company which will improve the condition of transportation in the capital and its surrounding area.
DMRC, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was set up by Government of India and Government of Delhi on 3 May,1995. You might have seen this seen on metros and metro station, many relate this symbol to Delhi Metro but it’s actually the symbol of DMRC. All the planning and execution is under the jurisdiction of DMRC.
This may be a surprise to many of you but like Marvel Cinematic Universe have phases (comment down below your favourite character in the MCU, mine is Black Panther WAKANDA FOREVER!!?) Delhi Metro also have phases. And coincidentally or intentionally Delhi Metro is also on its fourth phase.
The cost of construction of first phase was around 10,571 crores according to DMRC reports, which rose to 41,079 crores in phase 3. And as you may have been thinking or you should be thinking is how the hell those our government can afford this with many other projects going simultaneously?
The major funding came in the form of loans from japanese government (over 60%) and 28% from central and state government jointly for the phase 1.The japanese government provided 55% and 48% in phase 2 and 3 respectively.
The construction of first phase of delhi metro began in 1998 and DMRC was given full authority over to hire to people, decide on tenders and control funds.They hired the Honk Kong MTRC as a technical consultant on rapid transit operation and construction techniques.
And i am guessing that none or maybe every few of you may know what MTRC is. MTRC or MTR Corporation Limited is a company that runs Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway, or in other words, The Hong Kong Metro.
The first line of the Delhi Metro was inaugurated in the december of 2004 by our then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. By the way for you information NOT everything in India is delayed, and talking about Delhi Metro , it’s first phase was completed 3 years earlier than plan and on budget.
History aside, now let’s talk about the technological advances of Delhi Metro. Delhi Metro is considered to be one of the most advanced and sustainable project. DMRC has installed nine new solar power generation facilities on stations and depot of Badarpur- Faridabad metro corridor for partial fulfillment of the energy requirements of that corridor. Also using Regenerative Braking in metro, it can return 30%(this figure is although tentative) of the energy to its source while braking.
Regenerative Braking is braking using motors which will convert vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. This technique is used in many cars including the Teslas and a version of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, which is ny the way available to buy in India.Electric Motors are used in reverse which make them act as a generator.
Delhi Metro has saved over 112,500 megawatt-hours during a three year period. The Delhi Metro is the first project to be registered for carbon credits by the United Natons in 2007 for the same reasons. DMRC plans to reduce the carbon emissons from 39,000 metric tons, growing to 1,00,000 tons in the coming years.
Now, many western countries, are aiming to use this technology to reduce carbon emission, which include New York’s transit system for its fleet and some UK based transit companies. Which is a huge compliment to DMRC.
Conclusion TIme
Delhi Metro play an extremely crucial part in the Delhiites Life, which include me, and we can’t imagine our lives without this service. And the development of such a transport with sustainable methods and travelling in it makes a huge impact on the environment in a positive way.If you are delhiite and never travel in the delhi metro, then what are you waiting for? It’s about time you do because once you do you will never want to use another transport for transportation.And that’s a pretty BIG claim.
Also i wanted to mention, that Delhi Metro, or rather any metro and its stations in the county are much cleaner than transit system you will come across in some of the europian contries.Which is another huge win for INDIA