DELHI (Metro Rail News): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is planning to expand its presence in global metro projects. The corporation has created a new company, Delhi Metro International Limited (DMIL), to pursue opportunities in foreign countries and generate additional revenue. The move comes at a time when DMRC needs funds to upgrade parts of the Delhi Metro Network, which has been operating for more than two decades.
Several Countries showed interest in working with DMRC
DMRC Managing Director Dr. Vikas Kumar said a number of countries have approached the corporation for possible metro collaborations. These include,
- Israel
- Egypt
- Kenya and other African countries
While discussions with some countries are still at an early stage, DMRC now plans to actively bid for projects outside India through its newly formed international arm. Kumar said DMIL will focus on securing contracts related to metro planning, consultancy, project execution, operations and maintenance.
DMRC’s association with Dhaka Metro
DMRC is currently involved in Metro projects in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The corporation is providing consultancy services, helping with project execution and supporting operations and maintenance activities. According to Kumar, the Dhaka assignment has given DMRC valuable international experience that can help it expand into other markets.
Need for additional revenue
Kumar said Delhi Metro now needs significant investment for modernization and refurbishment work. The network started operations in 2002, and many stations, systems and trains have aged over time. DMRC wants to generate additional income beyond passenger fares to support these upgrades. He said revenue from overseas projects can help fund mid-life refurbishment of infrastructures across the Delhi Metro network.
DMRC believes its experience in operating driverless metro trains can help it compete for international contracts. According to Kumar, more than 90 km of the Delhi Metro network currently operates with driverless technology. This experience makes DMRC one of the few metro operators with large scale driverless operations. As more cities adopt advanced metro systems, DMRC sees this expertise as an important advantage.
Expanding across India as well
Along with its international ambitions, DMRC continues to expand its presence in other Indian cities. The corporation has secured long-term operations and maintenance contracts for
- Mumbai Metro
- Chennai Metro
It also provides operational support in:
- Patna
- Noida
- Gurugram
- Jaipur
DMRC is also exploring partnerships with foreign companies and plans to work more closely with embassies and international organizations to strengthen its position in the global urban mobility sector. As Delhi Metro enters its third decade of operations, DMRC is looking beyond the national capital for future growth. Through its new international arm, the corporation hopes to win overseas projects, earn additional revenue and use that income to modernize one of India’s largest metro networks.
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