Metro chief Sreedharan to stay till 2010

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief Dr Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is being given an extension of one year and four months by the Delhi Government, reports Atul Mathur.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief Dr Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is being given an extension of one year and four months by the Delhi Government.

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Sreedharan will continue to be the managing director of the DMRC till March 2010, when the metro completes the construction of phase II of its network.

The Delhi Government sources said they have sent the recommendation for term extension for Sreedharan to the central government. Sreedharan’s present term is due to expire on November 4 this year.

“Sreedharan has been instrumental in extending the metro network under strict construction schedule and has always completed the project well ahead of its deadlines. The completion of metro’s phase II in time is very important in view of the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the government is really keen to retain him,” said a senior Delhi government official.

The government is expected to make the formal announcement of his extension very soon.

Sreedharan has already got two term extension first for two years and then for three years.

He had joined the DMRC as its managing director on November 5, 1997 after completion of Konkan Railway Project where he served as its chairman and managing director.

When Sreedharan had got his first extension five years back, he had expressed his desire to retire. However, at the beginning of the construction of phase II of metro, which had to be completed by 2010, Sreedharan had expressed his wish to stay till he completed the task taken in his hands.