Broad-Gauge Plan For Delhi Metro Raises Eyebrows

Two months after the contract for rolling stock (coaches and loco units) for Delhi Metro was awarded, the Prime Minister's office has reopened the controversy surrounding its gauge by asking the Railways to explain why they had insisted on broad gauge when internationally, standard gauge is the most popular dimension in use.

While Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is executing the Rs 8,155 crore project had favoured standard gauge (1,435 mm) as procuring rolling and technology would have been much easier, the Railways prevailed upon the group of ministers deliberating to resolve the issue to clinch the decision in favour of broad gauge (1,676 mm), a unique dimension which is in use only in India.

The Railways refused to comment on the August 2 meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying that Railway Board chairman Ashok Kumar did not attend the discussion and that the board would consider the issue soon. The Railways' argument in favour of broad gauge centered on "considerations of inter-operability and development of and future dependence on indigenous capability."

But experts point out that inter-operability is technically impossible as the signalling and traction systems of the two systems is entirely different and differences in axle loads, train frequency and tracks would actually make it a safety hazard if Metro trains running on Railways' network and vice versa was even attempted.

With the controversy coming to the fore again, a DMRC official maintained they were in favour of standard gauge. Asked if it was possible to change the order now, he said, "It is still possible, but the decision would have to be taken in the next couple of weeks. Fortunately, tenders had been invited for both gauges."

Delhi transport minister Pervez Hashmi, who incidentally favours standard gauge, said, "We will not be able to start the first phase of the project before December 2002 if it is implemented on broad gauge as manufacturers will have to customise the rolling stock for broad gauge specifications. The project can be finished much earlier if it is executed on standard gauge."

"If a decision in favour of standard gauge is taken even now, we can still order standard gauge locomotives and coaches and there will be a direct cost saving of over Rs 180 crore," he said.