Wednesday, July 13 2005 16:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: After changing the way Delhi travels, the Metro Rail may soon make its effect felt in several other cities in India and neighbouring countries.

Construction of Metro networks in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad is likely to commence within this financial year, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Managing Director E Sreedharan said today (July 13, 2005).

DMRC had prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these networks and will be the principal consultant during their construction.

Speaking at a national conference on 'Delhi Metro: The Story of Success', Sreedharan said DMRC has also prepared detailed reports for Metro networks in Chennai and Kochi and a new line in Kolkata which will pass under the Hooghly river.

He said officials from Sri Lanka and Pakistan visited the Delhi Metro and favoured DMRC preparing detailed reports for similar networks in Colombo and two Pakistani cities.

"A team from Bangladesh is likely to arrive soon to discuss a Metro network for Dhaka," he said.

Sreedharan said other cities approached DMRC as it had successfully constructed the world-class Delhi Metro, which was affordable for common people.

Describing the Delhi Metro as the 'pride of the nation', Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said it could be used as a model for similar networks in other cities, which will substantially bring down pollution.

Japanese Ambassador Enoki Yasukuni, who was present at the conference, commended DMRC for achieving its targets ahead of schedule and said its experience will be helpful in other cities.