Case Study : Delhi Metro Airport Express Line

Bhaskar Bhattacharya

Phases

Background : Delhi Metro & DMRC

Project Details : Airport Express Metro Line

Options before DMRC

Suggested ‘Way Ahead’

Delhi Metro Airport Express Line

Reason

Population of over 10 million More registered vehicles than Mumbai, Kolkata

& Chennai put together Automobiles contributing to more than 2/3rd of

the total atmospheric pollution High rate of road accidents More than 35 studies recommended ‘Mass

Rapid Transit System’

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

Conditions that necessitated setting up of DMRC….

Need for reliable public transportation in Delhi Comprehensive traffic & transportation study

completed in 1990 highlighted the urgent need for a rail-based transit system comprising a network of underground elevated and surface corridors to meet the traffic demand projected for 2021

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) registered on 3rd May 1995 for the Construction & Operation

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

DMRC becomes a necessity……

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

20% of the cost borne by the Central Government20% of the cost borne by the GNCTDAbout 50 – 60% of the cost through JBIC Loan5% of the cost by DMRC through Property

Development

Cost Structure for projects by DMRC……

Challenges

Biggest urban invention in transportation since independence

Executed in very difficult urban environment All actions under close scrutiny of all agencies Implementation period compressed from 10 years

to 7 years Constructed to world class standards with

frontline technologies Expertise and technology was not available in the

country

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

Challenges successfully negotiated by DMRC….

A rapid transit system serving NCR 

Network consists of six lines with a total length of 62 Kms ( eventually extended to 183.7 Kms)

40 stations ( eventually extended to 140) of which 35 are underground

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

Objectives achieved by DMRC in NCR till Aug 2006 i.e. the date setting of this case study …..

BackgroundDelhi Metro & DMRC

2002

2005

2004

2010

2010

Mansarovar Park

Rohini

Botonical GardenNoida

Dwarka

ISBT

Karol Bagh

Udyog Nagar

Jahangirpuri

IFFCO Chowk Tuglakabad

Mandi House

Airport Express Line

Rly Stn

Shivaji Stadium

Aerocity

IGIAirport

DwarkaSect 21

Airport Express Line

Length 19.2 Km- 5.5 km underground- 11.6 km of elevated tracks- Balance- switchover ramps

Cost: 2381 Cr less taxes & duties : addl reqmt of 559 Cr for Rolling Stock

Generaion of Necessity Airport Express Line

IGAI was envisaged to handle 18 million passengers by 2010-11 & 70 million by 2034-35

Movement primarily through taxis & private vehicles. Bus services were few & inadequate

Travel time from center of Delhi to IGAI approx 1 Hr

CWG was likely to bring in a large number of tourists & sports participants

Terms of ReferenceAirport Express line

September 2010 deadline for CWG

Direct Route to IGAI , ride with most people sitting with space for luggage

Max speed of 135 kms/hr with operating speeds of 100 Kms/hr

Four stn reqd: Two stns close to City Centre, One stn Intermediate & One stn at airport terminal

Provision for interchanges with DMRC lines & other public transport systems

Provision for future stations

Decision between DMRC & PPP/BOT

StakeholdersAirport Express line

GoI- Empowered Gp of Min, Committee of Secretaries

GNCTD (Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi)

DMRC

DIAL(Delhi International Airport Limited)

Private Finance/ Banks

Agencies/Departments according various clearances

Residents of Delhi

Project DetailsAirport Express Line

Project Length 19.2 Km with a hybrid mix: - l5.5 Km of underground tracks - 11.6 Km of elevated tracks - Remaining would be for switch-over ramps

Expected traffic 86,000 by 2021

Turn-around time of 55-60 min

Express line would terminate at the Airport

Each station would have a circulating area of 10,000-20,000 SqM of which 50% could be used for commercial purposes

Cost of Proj- 2381Cr (less the taxes & duties)

ConcernsAirport Express Line

Alignment of the line at places like cantonment areas where permission would be mandatory for elevated corridors

Alignment crossed major city roads affecting utilities like sewers, water mains, storm water drains, telephone & electricity lines. These were not to be disrupted during the construction phase

Felling of 300-400 trees

Permission from different regulators & utility operators DIAL had reservations on elevated station on Airport

Security of the line

Ambitious time frame of four years

Options DMRC vs PPP

Funding from the GoI for a facility to be primarily used by air passengers may not be forthcoming DMRC had to secure entire fundingDIAL to bear expenses for civil works inside airport to the tune of 440 CrDDA would be required to pitch in for better connectivity to Dwarka

Responsibility of the project with private investor Heavy capital investment & long gestation periodsBOT projects involved 1/3rd equity & 2/3rd debt @ 10%Private funding may have to be extended through VGF (viability gap funding)

DMRC PPP/BOTFunding

Options DMRC vs PPP

DMRC/GNCTD to be responsible for land acquisitions, securing permission from different agencies for both construction & operations

Form 1Private investor to be responsible for land acquisition & all clearances Form 2Land Acquisition & clearances facilitated by DMRC/GNCTD

DMRC PPP/BOT

Permissions & Clearances

Options DMRC vs PPP

DMRC has domain expertise, momentum from past & running projects & trained manpowerGood offices with GoI, GNCTD & agencies according permissions/clearancesVital engineering equipment like heavy duty cranes & plant equipment already available on siteRolling stock from previously completed projectsKnowledge of existing facilities like electricity & sewer lines, water supply lines Tried & tested team with excellent reasults

Very few private companies with this kind of an expertiseMay have to poach experts from DMRC itself for critical functionsMay have to further subcontract indl segmentsProcurement of heavy engineering eqpt may delay commencement of the projectLack of trained manpowerNo knowledge of layout of amenitiesGood offices have to be established through liaison with all agencies

DMRC PPP/BOTExecution & Operation

Suggested Road Ahead Airport Express Line

A lot is at stake on the project (National image)

Contract procedure followed by subcontracting, is a time consuming process

Critical amenities cannot be disturbed for a prolonged period

Environmental, Forest & other clearances have to be fast-tracked

Procurement of Engineering Eqpt & construction stores at a very rapid pace has its challenges

Quality control on the project when time lines are critical

Availability of Trained Manpower at all levels

Good leadership

Good Offices with various agencies

Suggested Road Ahead Airport Express Line

DMRC is best suited to undertake the project

Involving any other agency without domain expertise may prove disastrous with such critical timelines

If funding is an issue with GoI & PPP/BOT becomes the only option, then supervision & reporting on a daily basis may have to be done by DMRC

Instructions from GOI to all agencies to issue clearances on a war footing

Thank You