The Delhi Metro

In my last post, I alluded to Delhi Metro as a possible success story that has combined convenience and affordability. I wanted to build on this today, but the unfortunate incident of the pillar collapse will influence my objectivity. In any case, here's my take on the Metro.

I have used the metro and it is both affordable and convenient. In my limited view, Delhi is fast realigning along the metro the way Bombay has along its local lines. One must not forget, however, that Delhi had and continues to have a much better network of city roads that are broader and well-maintained. Partly, this is the function of how the city is laid out; Delhi is naturally conducive to ring roads and arterial roads where as the most one can get in Mumbai is a North-South expressway. Consequently, the approach roads to Metro stations are in much better condition. Of course, it is early days and one has to review the situation after the Metro is in operation for 5 years at least. Further, one must not ignore the weather factor. Mumbai monsoons are a key part of the equation. And unless the sewage system is first fixed, it is impossible to fix Mumbai's transport woes.

I have used the metro and it is both affordable and convenient. In my limited view, Delhi is fast realigning along the metro the way Bombay has along its local lines. One must not forget, however, that Delhi had and continues to have a much better network of city roads that are broader and well-maintained. Partly, this is the function of how the city is laid out; Delhi is naturally conducive to ring roads and arterial roads where as the most one can get in Mumbai is a North-South expressway. Consequently, the approach roads to Metro stations are in much better condition. Of course, it is early days and one has to review the situation after the Metro is in operation for 5 years at least. Further, one must not ignore the weather factor. Mumbai monsoons are a key part of the equation. And unless the sewage system is first fixed, it is impossible to fix Mumbai's transport woes.

Further, the traffic pattern in Delhi is much more distributed than in Mumbai. Therefore, the routes dont get anywhere as crowded. I think, in a way, this has created the ideal traffic level - high enough to be profitable but not too high to choke the system into stagnation. A measly 4-car metro rake in Mumbai would be a disaster. I can bet the train would never leave the station and some adventurists might actually climb atop and between the rakes. Delhi Metro-type solution might work in Mumbai, but only if its on steroids.

I would actually think the Mumbai traffic pattern is easy if you are a planner. Just build two high-capacity north-south metro links and you are done. Only if we had the political will...