New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) Countries including Israel, Egypt and Kenya have approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for possible collaboration in metro projects, with the corporation now looking to expand its international presence through a dedicated overseas arm as it seeks additional revenue to modernise ageing infrastructure in the national capital, Managing Director Vikas Kumar said.
In an interview to PTI, Kumar said DMRC is currently associated with metro projects in Dhaka, where it is providing consultancy support, assisting in project execution and helping in operations and maintenance (O&M).
“Right now we are associated with Dhaka. We are working there as consultants and also helping them in executing the project. In O&M also, we are supporting them,” he said.
Kumar said countries such as Israel and Egypt had approached DMRC in the past regarding possible metro collaborations. Some African nations, including Kenya, had also shown interest in engaging with the corporation, though discussions have not progressed further.
To strengthen its international operations, DMRC has formed Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL), a separate company focused on securing projects abroad.
“We have formed a new company, Delhi Metro International Limited, and now very aggressively we are trying to get some contracts abroad,” Kumar said.
Kumar said revenue generated through projects outside Delhi would help the corporation undertake refurbishment and modernisation work across the Delhi Metro network, parts of which are now over two decades old.
“Our stock has become old. Stations have become quite old. More than two decades have passed since operations started in 2002, so it requires certain mid-life refurbishments. For that we require money. So we have to generate more additional revenue other than ticketing from Delhi,” he said.
According to Kumar, DMRC is also planning to engage with embassies and international organisations and is exploring partnerships with foreign firms to strengthen its global experience in urban mobility projects.
Kumar said DMRC’s expertise in operating driverless metro systems could become a key strength in attracting overseas projects.
“We are one of the largest metro systems having this driverless experience. More than 90 kilometres of our network is driverless,” he said.
Apart from overseas engagements, DMRC has secured long-term O&M contracts for Mumbai Metro and Chennai Metro, while it is also providing operational support in Patna, Noida, Gurugram and Jaipur, Kumar added. PTI SHB NB NB
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