'Metro Man' Sreedharan

Eminent technocrat Elattuvalapil Sreedharan has become synonymous with the modern rapid transit system that helped ease transportation woes in the national capital.

The soft-spoken 77-year-old 'Metro Man' is credited with completion of several of the Delhi Metro projects within budget and ahead of schedule, a performance which was recognised by the government by awarding him Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour.

The Kerala-born engineer, who had long retired, was handpicked as the first Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in 1997 considering his 'no-nonsense business-like' approach that became the moving force behind the efficient functioning of the Metro in the capital.

The Delhi Metro revolutionised the transit system in the capital, making travel easier and faster and Sreedharan got most of the credit for building the world-class railway system that is spreading its net across the capital, gearing up for the Commonwealth Games next year.

Sreedharan, who on Sunday quit taking moral responsibility for the collapse of an under-construction Metro bridge, had a long career in the Railways during which he came to be known for his integrity and capability.

However, a series of mishaps at Metro construction sites over the last two years brought to fore questions whether tight deadlines and pressure to complete pending projects before the Commonwealth Games 2010 were leading to compromises with safety standards.

The efficiency that is reflected by the Delhi Metro earned kudos and several awards, including international ones, for Sreedharan.

He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan last year. Earlier, he had been given the Padma Shree for his contribution as the head of Konkan Railways, which is considered a symbol of engineering marvel.

Sreedharan has also received Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian award of the French government.

Born on June 12, 1932 in a remote village in Palakkad district of Kerala, Sreedharan graduated as an engineer from the Government Engineering College, Kakinada and joined the Indian Railways as a Probationary Assistant Engineer in December 1954.

One of his key achievements was restoring Pamban Bridge connecting Rameshwaram to mainland Tamil Nadu, which was washed away by a tidal wave in 1963. He got the Railway Minister's Award for his work.

In 1970, as the deputy chief engineer, he was put in charge for implementation, planning and design of Calcutta Metro, the first-ever Metro in India.

Sreedharan, a deeply religious man, recently started a anti-corruption campaign through an NGO.