Metro Man of India E Sreedharan

Metro Man of India, E Sreedharan

Elattuvalapil Sreedharan also popularly known as the "Metro Man of India is a civil engineer. E. Sreedharan was the MD of Delhi Metro since 1995 to last year 2012.

E. Sreedharan was born on 12 July 1932 in the Palakkad district of Kerala. He completed his Civil Engineering course from the Government Engineering College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

Before coming to Railway he was working as a lecturer in Civil Engineering at a government polytechnic college and he also worked as an apprentice at Bombay port trust.

E. Sreedharan then came to Indian Railways Service of Engineers(IRSE), after clearing IES-53 conducted by UPSC. His first assigned there as a Probationary Assistant Engineer in December 1954.

He is also known for his commendable job for his rejuvenation work of “Pamban Bridge” which connects Rameshwaram to Mainland Tamil Nadu, the bridge had collapsed due to Cyclone in December 1964. He had completed his work within 46 days instead of assigned 3 months time by his head. He then rewarded by the “Railway minister award” for this achievement.

He was the deputy Chief Engineer for Kolkata Metro 1970 and he was responsible for the implementation, Planning and design of the Kolkata metro then. E. Sreedharan retired from Indian Railway member in the year 1995.

Although he retired, but govt needed his help and he then made the CMD for Konkan Railway in the year 1990. The task he was assigned in Konkan Railway was unique and tedious. It was one of the most difficult and first of its kind project in India. It was the first major project undertaken by Indian Railway as BOT that is Built - Operate – Transfer. The project had 83 tunnels with a total stretch of 82km through soft soil, length of the project was 760km and it included 150 bridges in between, it was again a rare feat in Indian Railway Engineering.

He was then made the MD for Delhi Metro in the year 1995. He completed his task of phase I of Delhi Metro and wished to retire by 2005, but he again called back by the govt because of his popularity and incredible performances. He was then only given the sobriquet “Metro Man” of India by the Media.

This Delhi Metro which is a world class metro is said to have change the look, feel and standard of living of Delhi People. Delhi Metro ferry around 22 lakh commuters daily, which reduces around 1 lakh car from the roads and around 1 lakh gallon ton of fuel every year, this all was made possible by this legendary and visionary E. Sreedharan.

He has also been awarded the knight of the legion of Honour by the govt of France.