Govt changes its mind about existence of Ram

Nick-H

Yes... I don't know about Central Government projects; I know that Chennai seems to be full of half-built fly-overs and overdue roads at the moment.

Certainly It is surprising how quickly things can be done here.

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capt_mahajan

The success of both is due to the same guy.. Sreedharan. The government, in the Delhi metro case, at least, was generally in his way, as usual. Fortunately, not long enough to botch it up

Engineering an India that moves

Also See this interview.. cant recall if it was part of the above thread.
http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/10minter.htm

Dilliwala

Right. But Sreedharan was not self-appointed, he was picked by the Central Govt both times, the second time especially becos of success with KRC. And he has been a govt employee all his life. Which just goes to prove my point - when the govt really wants something done, they WILL find the right person, from within their own ranks even.
Re pressures: Part and parcel of life here and only a fool wud believe that he/she cud take on a project and not have any pressures at all, and Sreedharan cud not be accused of being a fool by his worst detractors. What is amazing is how low the level of interference was - the proof being the completion of projects on time and work being of a quality to match the very best in the world! Certainly the Delhi Metro has been a revelation, I haven't had a chance to travel on the Konkan yet.

Dilliwala

Another good example, flyovers. In Delhi that is. It has been amazing to see over the last 15 years how quickly they have been put up. Also considering that they had to be built where roads, buildings, etc already existed. Some of them can be described as bloody marvels, engineering-wise. Long-time Delhiites will remember not-so-fondly the major snarls at AIIMS and Dhaula Kuan. And now? Difficult to imagine the old days. It's another thing that u can easily get lost in these flyovers. And taking the wrong exit means having to drive a few kms before being able to turn around. The price of progress.
Anyway, here again my point is that when govt wants something done, they can, and do get it done. Of course in Delhi's case, being the capital helps - a bit.

capt_mahajan

A true Mumbaikar has always had this grouse.. that Mumbai, for the tax revenues it generates --the largest in India (IIRC)... gets a fraction of the money Delhi gets.

But yes, the roads etc in Delhi are generally amongst the best in the country.

vmehra24

Religious feelings have their use--if people felt more strongly about Ganga or Narmada rivers the dams would not have been built.

Dilliwala

Ironical then, isn't it, that in Gujarat at least the BJP govt is the biggest supporter of the Narmada dam? And anyone who opposes the extra height was quickly branded as anti-national and/or anti-Hindu.

I wud agree. I believe the revenue allocation system needs a thorough overhaul. Certainly Mumbai shud get a lot more money. Altho I don't believe that states/cities shud be able to keep all the revenue they generate, becos then some states/cities wud get very little or nothing at all. But certainly a formula is required where for example, states have to contribute a certain percentage to the national exchequer and then get to keep the rest. It wud have to be a complex formula, like Duckworth-Lewis , becos a simple one like square area or size of population wud not be possible. And make the states responsible for the tax collection, it will also dramatically bring down the default and evasion from the present levels.

shashank.aggarwal

yes and Dilli guys have the grouse that they have to bear the traffic jams, dharnas, protests, road blocks, for the entire country...

and The funds that are allocated to Delhi are not actually used for Delhiites..they go for NDMC Delhi...maintaining the political class...

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