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Delhi Metro: A Road Map to Sustainable Transport

Technical Report · November 2016

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OffBeat |ExpertSpeak
Delhi Metro: A road map to
sustainable transport
The Delhi Metro – which is the world’s 12th largest metro
system in terms of both length and number of stations –
is leading the way in sustainable transport. In this article,
Harveen Kaur, PhD Scholar, University of Delhi, discusses
various green and sustainable initiatives taken by Delhi Metro
and how it can serve as a role model for public transport
across the country.

Since metro transport systems are
quite capital-intensive projects, the en-
vironment sustainability of such sys-
tems is an important issue that needs
to be explored. This article examines
the sustainable approaches (conserv-
ing resources, energy security, and en-
68 ergy efficiency) and green initiatives
taken by Delhi metro to build a low
carbon and an environmental friendly
rail transport in India.
About Delhi Metro Project
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
(DMRC) is headquartered in New
Delhi, India. It was registered (in the
year 1995) under Companies Act 1956
with equal equity participation from
the Government of the National Capital
Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the
Central Government. The Delhi Metro
has been instrumental in escorting
masses as a means of urban transporta-
tion in India. Delhi Metro introduced
high-class, comfortable, air-condi-
tioned and environmentally sustainable
services for the first time in India and
completely revolutionized the mass
transportation scenario not only in the
National Capital Region but in the
entire country. DMRC today stands out
as an outstanding example of Green
Metro over globe.
Presently, the Delhi Metro network
consists of about 213 Km with 160
stations along with seven lines. The
network has now crossed the bound-
aries of Delhi to reach Noida and
Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, Gurgaon
and Faridabad in Haryana. It is
important to highlight that Delhi
Metro is the First metro
train system in the Harveen Kaur, PhD Scholar, University of Delhi
world to receive Delhi
the Envi- metro Road map towards
ronmental has been com- sustainable development
Standard mitted towards the The DMRC contributes positively
ISO 14001 objectives spelt out towards “Sustainable development
EMS under the National of India”. The project activi-
during the Solar Mission and ties thereby contribute towards
construction sustainable use of sustainable development of the
phase itself. solar energy country.
It has created
local skilled and DMRC’s Solar Initiative
semi-skilled employment opportunities Delhi metro has been committed to-
for number of people in the capital. wards the objectives spelt out under the
Key highlights of Delhi Metro:
▪▪ It carries 2.7 Million passengers a day
▪▪ It is known to be most energy intensive (energy is being used for traction,
i.e., for carrying passengers and maintaining conditioned air in the
coaches) but very sustainable transport system
▪▪ 56 % of energy is consumed by traction and the remaining 44 % by other
services
▪▪ The concern for sustainability is manifested in its Mission and Culture
statement itself i.e. to make Delhi Metro self-sustainable and during con-
struction it should neither cause inconvenience nor endanger public life
nor should their work lead to ecological or environmental degradation.
▪▪ According to a study, Delhi Metro has helped in removing about 3.9 lakh
vehicles from the streets of Delhi.
 November 2016
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DMRC’S SUSTAINABLE POLICIES AT A GLANCE
Quality
Policy
Waste
Managem
ent Policy
S us tainable
Policies of
DMR C
Environmental
Policy
Swacch
Metro
Compaign
National Solar Mission and has been
proactively working towards sustain-
able use of solar energy to harness
electricity for its operations. It has set
up roof top solar power plants at many
of its stations. It has installed nine
new solar power generation facilities
in the stations and the depot of the
Badarpur – Faridabad Metro corridor
for partial fulfillment of the energy
requirements. The power generated is
Water
Policy
Solar
policy
Energy
Manageme
nt Policy
used for the lighting and other auxiliary
requirements of the station and depot
buildings. In total, DMRC has so far
commissioned solar power facilities
with generation capacity of approx.
2,800 kWp with plants at Dwarka Sec-
tor 21, Anand Vihar, Pragati Maidan,
Metro Enclave, Yamuna bank station,
Yamuna bank depot, Faridabad RSS,
ITO, Ajronda depot and the Faridabad
metro stations. In addition to this, the
study for installing solar panels on the
Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) providing
connectivity to the commuters across
the National Highways has also been
undertaken. It has already commis-
sioned 3 MW Solar Power Plants and
aims to achieve 20 MW by 2017 and
50 MW by 2021.
DMRC’s Water Conservation
Initiative
Delhi Metro is taking all possible
measures to rationalize its use of water
and recycle and reuse water as much
as possible. In order to streamline the
water conservation measures of the
organization, a detailed water policy
has been put in place since 2013. In ad-
dition to this, in 2014-15, Delhi Metro
also added 99 Rain Water Harvesting
pits at 37 locations with capacity of
990 CuM. Rain water harvesting struc-
tures have been installed at elevated
stations, viaducts and depots. 69
Rain Water Harvesting
Structures at Shastri Park
Depot

S OC IAL INDIC ATOR

It has increased employment opportunities for semiskilled, skilled labour and professionals in the
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in various capacities . The project activity thus contributes to
social well being Source: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/
watermanage.html

E C ONOMIC INDIC ATOR

It has reduced total energy consumption because of the increased efficiency achieved through Currently DMRC has 84 rain water
regenerative brakes system . It also reduces the dependence of host country on imported fossil
fuels. The job opportunities generated by the project activity also helps in improving the harvesting structures with 464 pits
economic status of those recruited for the project activity.
which have a total capacity of 8607.08
cum. In the FY 2016-17, DMRC
E NVIR ONME NTAL INDIC ATOR
It regenerates electricity which aids in reduction of CO 2 emitted to the atmosphere . The project had planned to install 24 new RWH
activity has also resulted in reducing SOx emissions and associated environmental degradation.
Replacing an equivalent amount of grid electricity by regenerated electricity, results in fossil fuels
systems with 107 pits with a total
conservation and increased availability of power from the northern grid for other needful
purposes .
capacity of 1350 cum. DMRC is also
exploring more possibility of mini-
TE C HNOLOG IC AL INDIC ATOR mizing fresh water consumption by
The technology being used in the project activity is environmentally safe and sound technology
for the application. The project activity by providing an environmental friendly technology for the
treating and reusing the waste water.
Delhi Metro Rail System in the country would serve as an example for other upcoming metros in
the country.
Waste water treatment is an
important initiative to be taken for the
 November 2016
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OffBeat | ExpertSpeak
Installation of Solar Panels by Delhi Metro
betterment of the society and for future
generations. Treating waste water and
reusing the treated water is an important
part of water conservation effort. Waste
water treatment is a process, wherein the
contaminants are removed from waste
water to produce effluent suitable for
reuse or discharge in waste water drain.
68 It has installed Sewage Treatment Plants
(STP) and Effluent Treatment Plants
(ETP) in depots & colonies resulting
in reuse of water for horticulture and
flushing of toilets.An Effluent Treatment
Plant treats the waste water to remove
any toxic and non-toxic materials or
chemicals from the waste water. A
Sewage Treatment Plant (domestic
waste water treatment) removes contam-
inants from waste water and household
sewage. Five depots of DMRC (namely
Sarita Vihar, Shastri Park, Yamuna
Bank, Sultanpur and Khyber Pass along
with the residential colonies at Shastri
Park, Sarita Vihar and Yamuna Bank)
have been equipped with these plants.
Tree Plantations done by DMRC
Source: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/enviroment.aspx
DMRC has also taken a new step
towards recycling of waste water
by installing bio-digester tanks. In
bio-digester tank, a consortium of
anaerobic bacteria acts as inoculum
(seed material) to the bio-digester
and converts the organic waste into
methane and carbon dioxide.
DMRC’s initiative for
Conservation of Ecology
DMRC has a policy to plant 10 saplings
for every tree that it removes. In order to
ensure that the correct type of saplings
are planted and maintained, DMRC has
engaged the services of Forest Depart-
ment, Govt. of Delhi. All the expenses
for this are borne by DMRC. In order
to further expand the green cover in the
National Capital, DMRC handed over
a land area measuring 15 hectares (near
Shastri Park) to the Forest department
for plantation activities.
In addition, DMRC has also tied
up with a non-governmental organi-
Waste water treatment
is an important initiative
to be taken for the bet-
terment of the society
and for future genera-
tions. Treating waste
water and reusing the
treated water is an
important part of water
conservation effort.
Waste water treatment
is a process, wherein
the contaminants are
removed from waste
water to produce efflu-
ent suitable for reuse
or discharge in waste
water drain
zation- ‘Sustainable Green Initiative’
for carrying out plantation drives in
different parts of the city. DMRC
plans to plant over 25,000 saplings
voluntarily in the years to come. Tree
plantation by DMRC has potential
capacity to sequester approximately
5,500 t of CO2 and produce 12,400 t
of O2 per year.
Tree Plantation Data for
DMRC Construction Phase 1,
2&3
Conservation of Ecology
Trees Trees Trees Trans-
felled/cut Planted planted
31855 344251 6636
Source: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/
otherdocuments/cop21.pdf
Going Green Initiative for
Buildings - Green Metro
‘Green Buildings’ are known to be
most environmentally efficient build-
ings. In India, Indian Green Building
Council (IGBC) certifies building as a
Green Building. Until now, there was
no norm in place that could certify a
Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) to
be green. In order to develop a rating
 November 2016
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Initiatives to Conserve Ecology

In order to develop
a rating system ap-
plicable to all metros,
DMRC and IGBC joined
hands and came up
with a Green Certifica-
tion norm for the very
Sources: http://www.greening.in/2013/05/delhi-metro-celebrates-world.html first time in the world,
Concept of Green Building for rating a MRTS to
Green Standards. This
MRTS Rating System
was launched by IGBC
on 4th September 2014
exclusively for Green
certification of Metro
System

the adverse health effect and

system applicable to all metros, DMRC
and IGBC joined hands and came up
with a Green Certification norm for the
very first time in the world, for rating a
MRTS to Green Standards. This MRTS
Rating System was launched by IGBC
on 4th September 2014 exclusively for
Green certification of Metro System.
All the upcoming Metro stations
under the Delhi Metro as part of its
third phase are designed and being
constructed as ‘Green Buildings’ with
specific provisions for the conservation
of energy as well as better CO2 saving,
water saving and waste management
arrangements. These station buildings
have following specific features:
▪▪ Reduced Heat Island Effect:
The roofs of the stations are
either finished with high reflective
materials or/and landscaped with
vegetation.
▪▪ Landscape Plant Species:
The plant species used for the
landscaping (wherever possible)
of the stations are either native
or adaptive which consume less
water and help in increased water
efficiency of the building.
▪▪ Insulated Building Envelope: To
reduce heat gains in the stations
and improve energy efficiency,
the walls, roof and windows are
insulated.
▪▪ Adequate Fresh Air: The Metro
stations are being designed to
provide adequate fresh air as
per ASHRAE 62.1-2004 through
ventilation system.
▪▪ Low VOC Paints: To reduce
improve quality of indoor air, only
Low VOC paints, adhesives and
sealants are being used in the 71
buildings.
▪▪ Water Efficient Fixtures: Low
water consuming fixtures like
Dual-flush WC, low flow taps etc
are installed at the stations.
▪▪ Energy Efficient Equipments:
All the lift and escalators are
equipped with Variable Voltage
Variable Frequency drives which
consume less energy compared
to conventional lift & escalators.
Faridabad metro stations have received
highest green building rating and
awarded the highest possible rating
(platinum) for adherence to green
building norms, by the Indian Green
Building Council (IGBC), which has
devised a rating mechanism for Metro
stations and buildings on a scale of
platinum, gold, silver etc for following
the green building specifications. Two
new recently opened Metro stations of
Delhi in Phase 3 – Janpath and Mandi
House, have also been awarded the
highest possible rating (platinum) for
adherence to green building norms,
by the Indian Green Building Council
(IGBC).
 November 2016
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OffBeat | ExpertSpeak

Operations in Green Building Metro has been certified by the United

Nations (UN)under the Kyoto Proto-
col as the First Metro Rail and Rail
based system in the world which will
get Carbon Credits for reducing Green
House Gas Emissions as it has helped
to reduce pollution levels in the city
by 6.3 lakh tons every year henceforth
helping in reducing global warming. It
has earned carbon credits worth about
Rs.47 crore annually for the next seven
years and with the increase in number
of passengers, this figure shall increase.
No other Metro in the world could get
the Carbon Credit for the above because
of the very stringent requirement of the
United Nations Body to provide con-
clusive documentary proof of reduction
in emissions. It is difficult to give docu-
mentary proof of the difference of energy
consumption of two scenarios, i.e. “With
Source: www.masterspmc.com
Metro and Without Metro”. Today about
18 lakh people travel in the city’s Metro
72 Green House Emissions from different Modes of transport at Rail system which is completely non-
glance polluting and environment friendly and,
but for the Metro these people would
have traveled by cars, busses, two/three
wheelers etc which would have resulted
in emission of green House Gases such
as CO2, CO, HC, NOx, PM and SO2.

Source: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/greeninitiative.aspx
Reduction in GHG Emission
initiative
Currently, about 25 lakh people travel
by the Metro, which is a non-polluting
and an environment friendly system.
Had the Metro not been there, these
people would have travelled by cars,
buses, two- and three-wheelers, which
would have resulted in higher emis-
sion of greenhouse gases. Thus, Delhi
Conclusion
Delhi Metro is committed to energy
conservation, environment protection
and sustainable development which
is visible from its positive approaches
and efforts. It can be concluded that
every passenger who chooses to use
Metro instead of car/bus contributes
in reduction of emissions (approx. 100
gm of carbon-Co2for every trip of 10
km and therefore, becomes party to the
reduction in global warming). It has
set a bench mark performance against
world’s best Metros. In addition, DMRC
has taken initiatives for intermodal
last mile connectivity like Feeder Bus
Service, Grameen Seva from Metro
Stations, Bicycle Service and Battery
Operated Taxis from stations.
The views in the article of the author are personal
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