2016

DELHI METRO RAIL PROJECT

-AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

MAYANK VIKHONA
2014A2PS623P
PRADYUMN AWASTHI
2014A2PS631P
SUBMITTED TO: Dr. ANUPAM SINGHAL
BITS PILANI

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A REPORT
ON
ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE
OF
DELHI METRO RAIL PROJECT

BY
MAYANK VIKHONA
2014A2PS623P
PRADYUMN AWASTHI
2014A2PS631P

Prepared in partial fulfillment of the

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSEMENT
Course No. - CE F434
BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY OF
SCIENCE
(NOVEMBER, 2016)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(i) List of Figures ..................................................................... 3
(ii) List of Tables ...................................................................... 4
1. Salient Points ....................................................................... 5
2. Introduction ......................................................................... 6
3. Objective ................................................................................ 7
4. Literature Review ................................................................ 8
5. Assessment of Impacts ...................................................... 12
6. Mitigation Measures .......................................................... 15
7. Suggestions and Recommendations ............................... 16
8. Conclusion ........................................................................... 17
9. References ........................................................................... 18

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1

METRO NETWORK

FIGURE 2

Levels Of CO2 with Time

FIGURE 3

Levels Of NO2 with Time

FIGURE 4

Reduced Traffic on an Odd-Even Policy Day

FIGURE 5

Increased Women Security

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1

Impact Assessment Magnitude Matrix

TABLE 2

Potential Socio-Economic Impacts

TABLE 3

Mitigation Measures

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1. SALIENT POINTS
Delhi Metro has a massive network of 213 Km with nearly 160
stations and increasing daily.
Delhi Metro Project has contributed significantly in controlling
pollution and reducing traffic on the roads apart from providing
comfortable travel facility for people.
The study revealed that there has been huge reductions in the
two major transportation pollutants namely carbon monoxide
and nitrogen dioxide.
Various Positive and Negative Impacts came out due to the
project.
Various Improvements can be made and measures have been
suggested.

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DELHI METRO RAIL PROJECT

2. INTRODUCTION
The Delhi Metro Project has played a very important rule in public
urban transportation in India. The modern Metro System provides
comfortable, eco-friendly and air-conditioned service for the very
first time in India and has resulted in revolution in the mass
transportation not only in the NCR region but also in the entire
nation.
Delhi Metro has a massive network of 213 Km with nearly 160
stations and increasing daily. The Project was completed in the record
time and the complex infrastructure was developed in the scheduled
time and within budgeted cost of Government of India
The Delhi Metro has also been contributing tremendously to the
environment and this resulted in Metro to become the first ever
railway project in the world to bag carbon credits for regenerative
braking.
DMRC has also received certification by the United Nations as the
first Metro Rail to get carbon credits by bringing down the levels of
Green House Emissions by 6.3 lakh tons every year, thereby reducing
global warming.
Many metro stations sustain on solar power and upcoming stations are
being built on Green Building Concept.
As a whole, Delhi Metro Project has contributed significantly in
controlling pollution and reducing traffic on the roads apart from
providing comfortable travel facility for people.
This report lays out a comprehensive summary of the Delhi Metro
Rail Project from the Environment Impact perspective. The report
covers the impact of the project on various environment
components and other factors.

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3. OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the report are as follows:
1. Assessment of the environmental impacts of the Delhi Metro Rail
Project related to location, design, construction and operation
2. To establish the baseline environmental and social scenario of the
project area
3. To propose mitigation plans and suggest ways to implement the
suggested plans
4. To suggest ways to further control the various factors raising
environment concerns
5. Uses methods and techniques to quantify various environment
impacts using following mentioned methodologies

The report shall use various methodologies for the impact

identification such as:1. Ad Hoc Methods
2. Checklists
3. Matrix Method
4. Leopold Matrix

Fig. 1 Source - Internet

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4. LITERATURE REVIEW
The current literature has many case studies focusing on
1. Review of currently available mass public transit systems
discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the above with
respect to cost, pollution, health and safety consideration, public
perception and acceptability of equipment.
2. Review on the previous steps taken to curb pollution in Delhi.
3. Review on the previous steps taken by Delhi Government to
control road traffic.
4. Study of impacts on the environment by the ongoing Delhi Metro
Rail Project with various methodologies
In year 2014, a study was carried out in which currently plying Delhi
Metro was converted to number of on- road vehicles which would
have been otherwise present on the roads due to absence of metro, to
measure the carbon emissions. It estimated the emissions saved in the
terms of total emissions and individual pollutants, i.e. CO 2, HC, NOX,
PM, CO. Sensitivity Analysis indicated that maximum benefits could
be yielded if commuters shift from other mode of public transportation
to metro rail (Niraj Sharma et al., 2014).
In 2014, another study focused on current and future projections on
the Energy Demand and CO 2 Emissions from urban on-road transport
in Delhi under various policy measures. An integrated ActivityStructure-Energy Intensity-Fuel Mix (ASIF) framework has been used to
the model. The study lays out different scenarios and models which can
reduce carbon emissions to 32 % in 2021 (Preeti Aggarwal et al., 2014).
In 2009, a study was focused on Sustainable transport and the
modernization of urban mode transports in Delhi and Stockholm. The
article laid emphasis on the development of transport modes keeping
its reference to Delhi and Stockholm. The modern and sustainable
transport has been discussed in light of the introduction of the first b us
rapid transport corridor in Delhi. The paper also explores the
perceptions of the politicians to study the driving forces in making of
transport policies (Marie Thynell et al, 2009).

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In a study of 2009, operation and financial performance of Delhi

natural gas fueled public bus transit was critically evaluated. It
concluded that CNG has significant cost implications which has
affected Delhi Transport Corporations financial situation. This
situation may compromise the ability to provide the public transit
service (Christian Krelling et al, 2009).

OTHER STEPS TAKEN TO CURB POLLUTION AND

TRAFFIC IN DELHI
1. Odd-Even Rule to reduce traffic by allowing odd numbered
vehicles on odd days respectively.
2. Banning of registration of luxury SUVs and diesel cars above
2000cc
3. Increase in green cess by 100 % on commercial vehicles
entering Delhi.
4. All taxis must be converted to CNG and debarring the entry of
commercial vehicles registered before 2005.
5. NGT directions on burning of waste and emissions of
construction dust.
6. Use of petrol and CNG Vehicles by public administration
departments and municipal bodies

Fig 2 Reduced Traffic on an Odd-Even Policy Day

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DELHI METRO RAIL TECHNOLOGY

Delhi Metro runs on Electricity supplied by Hydro-Electric
Projects and Thermal Power Plants (mostly).
The pollution is therefore offset by polluting some other region
than Delhi.
A study was carried out in 2015, (Deepti Goel et al, 2015) to
study the impact of Delhi Metro on Air Pollution. The study
revealed that there has been huge reductions in the two major
transportation pollutants namely carbon monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide.

Fig. 3 Levels of CO with time during study

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Fig. 4 Levels of NO 2 with time during study

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5. ASSESSEMENT OF IMPACTS
A. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The introduction of DMRC has yielded benefits from parameters
that are not tangible such as capital saved sue to money saved in road
construction and maintenance, operation losses of vehicles, reduced
environmental pollution and reduced travel time that results in socioeconomic benefits, better accessibility, better comfort and quality of
life. However, all benefits cannot be evaluated financially due to
absence of universally accepted norms. The parameters such as
economic growth, improvement in quality of life, reduction in public
health problems due to reduction in pollution have not been quantified
in the report.
The following table (Table 1) MAGNITUDE MATRIX lays down all
the environmental impacts clearly.
PROJECT ACTION
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPONENT
SOIL

CONSTRUCTION
PHASE

OPERATION
PHASE

NA

WATER
AIR
NOISE
FLORA

NA

OTHER
COMPONENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
SOIL EROSION
TRAFFIC

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NA

UTILITIES
VIBRATIONS
OIL POLLUTION
VISUAL IMPACT

Small positive impact

Large positive impact

Small negative impact

Large negative impact

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Site Surveys were conducted to generate socio-economic impacts
about the project. Based on the results of the report, net loss occurred
due to such impacts was estimated. Following table shows the
POTENTIAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS (Table 2).
Mostly tracks are built underground but stations required space
Land requirement and Acquisition that was acquired. For e.g. 57212
ha land was acquired in Janakpuri
Corridor Extension.
Impact on Families

Impact in Structures

Impact on Civil Amenities

Employment

Standards of living

Many families were affected due

to above mentioned acquisition.
Many structures were partially
damaged and other were partially
affected due to the project
construction.
Many utilities were affected due
to construction activities.
Metro Project has resulted in
generating thousands of job
opportunities.
Use of Metro saves time and
quality of services provided
improve the standards of the
people using it

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Fig 5 Women Coach results in additional women security

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6. MITIGATION MEASURES
The adverse environmental impacts likely to come up during the
construction as well as operational phase can be tackled by using the
following methods in project design and adopting these mitigation
measures : - (Table 3)
Environmental
Impact

Mitigation Measures

As per the Department of Forests guidelines, 10 times the number of

Afforestation for loss trees lost during construction is to be planted.
of trees

Temporary drainage works would be used

Water would be treated as per WHO standards before use.
Human waste will be collected and disposed safely. Sewerage
disposal system will be used.

Proper storage facilities will be provided for dust generating

materials.
Stocks of sand and aggregates greater than 20 m3 will be
covered on 3 sides.
Effective water sprays will be used on sand, aggregates and
similar materials.

Water Quality and

Supply

Air Quality

Oil Pollution Control Oil and grease removal tank will be installed at the source.

Noise Control

Vibration Control

Since most of the construction is underground, the marginal

increase in noise will be low, hence local population will not be
affected.
Automatic equipments and machinery will be used to avoid
exposing workers to loud noises.
Wherever automation is not possible, workers will be given
protective equipments.
Rails will be lubricated regularly with vehicle mounted
lubricator.
Parabolic noise reflecting walls will be provided on each side
of the track.

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7. SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

We suggest the following measures in order to reduce the negative
environmental impact of Metro :

Recently Noida Metro has planned to power up all of its new metro
stations with solar energy. Similar measures can be adopted by the
DMRC in all of its existing as well as new metro stations. Solar
power can be used to run offices, stations and footbridges.
Traditional power connection can be used as a supplement in case
of any glitch.
Metro trains can be redesigned with a sleeker and more
aerodynamic structure so that they consume less energy.
Waste generated during construction can be reused or recycled. For
example, wasted concrete can be used to make tiles for the station.
Wasted iron can be used to make grilles and railings for the
stations.
The rooftops of Metro stations can be used as rainwater harvesting
pits which can provide water to the nearby localities.
Most of the stations should be underground to avoid the problems
of land acquisition.

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8. CONCLUSION
The Delhi Metro was expected to play a very significant role in
relieving the pressure on Delhi by reducing transportation traffic and
pollution. Overall Delhi Metro has played its role satisfactorily.
Various studies conducted by the different institutions and
organizations also point out that impact of metro in terms of
environment and socio-economic is laudable if some significant
harmful impacts are carefully monitored.
By having a close look at the impacts of Delhi Metro, it can be clearly
seen that the project have resulted in both positive and negative
impacts, long term and short term impacts, direct and indirect impacts
and again beneficial and adverse impacts.
Though some of the impacts are much adverse but they have been
mitigated due to various measured taken by Government Authorities.
Suggested Measures can also result in significant improvements in the
services provided by the metro overall.
With time, unprecedented fast growth of metro network will result in
positive impacts surpassing negative impacts.

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9. References
Niraj Sharma, Anil Singh, Rajni Dhyani, Shweta Gaur(2014), Emission
reduction from MRTS projects A case study of Delhi metro,
Atmospheric Pollution Research, Volume 5, Issue 4, October 2014, Pages
721-728

Suresh Jain, Preeti Aggarwal, Prateek Sharma, Prashant Kumar(2014),

Vehicular exhaust emissions under current and alternative future policy
measures for megacity Delhi, India, Journal of Transport & Health,
Volume 3, Issue 3, September 2016, Pages 404-412

Marie Thynell, Dinesh Mohan, Geetam Tiwari(2009), Sustainable

transport and the modernization of urban transport in Delhi and
Stockholm, Cities, Volume 27, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 421-429

Christian Krelling, Madhav G. Badami(2009), Operational and financial

performance of Delhi's natural gas-fueled public bus transit fleet: A
critical evaluation, Transport Policy, Volume 47, April 2016, Pages 178188

Deepti Goel, Sonam Gupta (2015), Delhi Metro and Air Pollution,
Working Paper No. 229, Centre for Development Economics, Department
of Economics, Delhi School of Economics

EIA Repor(2014), Janakpuri Corridor Extension, DMRC

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