Second phase of Delhi Metro before CWG: Sreedharan

The second phase of work for Delhi Metro would be completed before Commonwealth Games in October, which could be a world record, E Sreedharan, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.

"In fact, we are running much ahead of the deadline. It would be a world record when the second phase of work is finished before Commonwealth Games," he said after being conferred the Sir Jehangir Ghandy medal for industrial and social peace at XLRI during his career of 36 years in Indian Railways.

Referring to the first phase of work in Delhi metro, he said, "The project was completed well before time and within the allocated funds. The second phase of work is also within budgetary limits."

He said the Kolkata Metro, which had taken 22 years to complete with the expenditure going up by 14 times, the first phase of Delhi Metro covering 65 km was completed not only before schedule but within the budgetary allocations.

Around ten lakh more people would travel by Delhi Metro after the second phase of work is finished, he said, adding around 1.65 lakh vehicles will be off the roads.

The proposal to lay 20 km of high-speed line was part of the metro network, which would connect New Delhi with the international airport in 18 minutes, he said.