Around 90 percent of DMRC Coaches are being made in India

Earlier coaches were being imported from Germany and South Korea, today the coaches made in India are being exported to other countries now says Vimal Yadav, Head of Architecture Cell, Intercontinental Consultant & Technocrates Private Limited.

Vimal Yadav says Metros have played the biggest role in improving the last mile connectivity. However still much more has to be achieved by adding feeder services for local transport in order to improve the last mile connectivity in many areas

How in your opinion has a metro in particular evolved as a popular mass transit medium? 

The urban transit has always been a key factor for a developing country during its transition from developing to developed country. Metros have enhanced last mile connectivity by giving a fast and comfortable transit solution with affordable cost. Because of its comfortable and user friendly nature it has become a preferred mode of transport between people from all the sections of the society. Currently Metro is becoming a primary mode of mass transit for all the areas which are being connected with the metro network. 

To what extent is the process of upgrading railway infra and building metro network indigenous and to what degree do we have to depend on imported technologies?

The Govt. of India is promoting indigenous content up to maximum extent as per make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns from consultancy to contractor agreements, use of local content is promoted and encouraged. However condition of including expats in the key experts is still coming in consultancy tenders which need to be reviewed as Indian experts are also equally capable to handle the complex designs after getting a vast experience in the sector. Post Galwan conflict with China, Govt. of India has taken an aggressive approach towards indigenization of all the sectors including infrastructure. The clauses for preferring local companies and vendors are being added in the infrastructure contracts.

Delhi metro has taken many initiatives in this direction and now around 90 percent of DMRC Coaches are being made in India which was used to be imported from the countries like Germany and South Korea earlier. The companies involved in manufacturing of the tracks are setting their units in India. The coaches made in India are being exported to other countries now.

To what extent have metros helped cities and suburbs in achieving the last mile connectivity?

Metros have played the biggest role in improving the last mile connectivity. However still much more has to be achieved by adding feeder services for local transport in order to improve the last mile connectivity in many areas. Currently a large number of people are experiencing difficulties in last mile connectivity. Appropriate Parking spaces and feeder services need to be added in the system.

To what extent can metros and railways together help India in achieving a robust multi-modal transport system?

Metros and Railways are the most reliable mode of transport. Metros are being designed for 120 years’ service life which makes it a robust system.  In the recent development projects, the attention is being given to multi-modal integration with all the modes of urban and sub-urban transport systems. In the proposed new metro networks the stations are being located considering the points of Multi-model integration. In future there will be a seamless experience for the user while transferring from one mode of transport to another.

There has been a constant effort to upgrade the railway infrastructure across different metropolises and Tier I and Tier II cities in India, what impact will it have on logistics and mass transit of goods and people from far off cities?

Since beginning of the railway infrastructure in India, it has been the most popular choice of the people because of its connectivity and affordability to the masses. As the system is too old and it certainly requires a periodic upgradation in order to make it more efficient and user friendly. This upgradation will help in quality and user experience of the transport system. Upgradation of the Rail infrastructure will attract more users which will ultimately facilitate the transit of goods and people and reduce the load on existing infrastructure.

What impact will it have on real estate, likewise do you see this development as a pathway to building and construction of newer cities?

Connectivity is the backbone of the Real Estate as it makes the property accessible to the masses which ultimately reflect in the valuation of the property. Enhancing the Metro Network will definitely strengthen the Real Estate market in vicinity as it will improve the last mile connectivity to the users. Because of improved connectivity and reduced travel time it gives more employment opportunities to the areas connected to the city.

44