The architect who's put profits & govt projects on same track
Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, whom PM Manmohan Singh once referred to as 'a role model for the future', is ET’s Policy Change Agent of the Year.
By ET Bureau |
| Elattuvalapil Sreedharan |
In an earlier assignment, he moved mountains. In the next one, he redefined what till then was known as ���world class��� in India. Today, Konkan Railways and Delhi Metro are the two shining temples of post-reform India that have set new global benchmarks. And their architect, Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, whom PM Manmohan Singh once referred to as ���a role model for the future���, is ET���s Policy Change Agent of the Year.
Mr Sreedharan has exploded several myths not only in infrastructure development, but also in proving that a state-run organisation can be run like a blue-chip private company. Delhi Metro is the only metro service besides Hong Kong to make an operating profit from its very first year of operation. While he is known for heading the Konkan Railway and putting it into operation despite odds, insiders say he played a key role in shaping the Calcutta Metro too.
Even at the age of 76, Mr Sreedharan���s energy and dedication are infectious. Born on July 12, 1932, in Palakkad district of Kerala, he started his career as a lecturer in civil engineering. He joined Southern Railways as assistant engineer in December 1954. He was given the railway minister���s award for restoring the Pamban railway bridge-the key link to Rameshwaram-in record 46 days.
As a deputy chief engineer, Mr Sreedharan was in charge of investigation, planning and design of India���s first metro railway project in Kolkata. He was a general manager with the Western Railways during 1987-89 and later became a member of the Railway Board and ex-officio secretary to the Government of India. On retirement from the Railways in June 1990, he joined Konkan Railways, which was executing Independent India���s largest railway project, as its CMD. This project was completed in a record time of seven years.
His role in the execution of the Delhi Metro is almost a textbook case study for any urban planner. He proved that tight cost controls and innovative revenue models can turn even a long-gestation project into a money spinner. The revenue model of leasing out additional space to retailers turned out to be a big source of revenue for the corporation. There were big cost reductions due to completion of the project ahead of the scheduled time. In 2002, Mr Sreedharan was named ���Man of the Year��� by The Times of India and chosen as one of the Asian Heroes by the Time in 2003. He received Padma Shri in 2001, and Shri Om Prakash Bhasin in 2002.
Mr Sreedharan has exploded several myths not only in infrastructure development, but also in proving that a state-run organisation can be run like a blue-chip private company. Delhi Metro is the only metro service besides Hong Kong to make an operating profit from its very first year of operation. While he is known for heading the Konkan Railway and putting it into operation despite odds, insiders say he played a key role in shaping the Calcutta Metro too.
Even at the age of 76, Mr Sreedharan���s energy and dedication are infectious. Born on July 12, 1932, in Palakkad district of Kerala, he started his career as a lecturer in civil engineering. He joined Southern Railways as assistant engineer in December 1954. He was given the railway minister���s award for restoring the Pamban railway bridge-the key link to Rameshwaram-in record 46 days.
As a deputy chief engineer, Mr Sreedharan was in charge of investigation, planning and design of India���s first metro railway project in Kolkata. He was a general manager with the Western Railways during 1987-89 and later became a member of the Railway Board and ex-officio secretary to the Government of India. On retirement from the Railways in June 1990, he joined Konkan Railways, which was executing Independent India���s largest railway project, as its CMD. This project was completed in a record time of seven years.
His role in the execution of the Delhi Metro is almost a textbook case study for any urban planner. He proved that tight cost controls and innovative revenue models can turn even a long-gestation project into a money spinner. The revenue model of leasing out additional space to retailers turned out to be a big source of revenue for the corporation. There were big cost reductions due to completion of the project ahead of the scheduled time. In 2002, Mr Sreedharan was named ���Man of the Year��� by The Times of India and chosen as one of the Asian Heroes by the Time in 2003. He received Padma Shri in 2001, and Shri Om Prakash Bhasin in 2002.
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