Dr. Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is proudly known as the “Metro Man of India”. He is a civil engineer, a project manager and an expert in public transport. He got this title for his contribution of revolutionising urban transport in India. Notably, the task of Delhi Metro Project was considered impossible. However, Dr. Sreedharan brought the thought to reality by his successful execution. Let’s learn more about him:
Who is Dr. ElattuvalapiSreedharan ?
Dr. E. Sreedharan is a famous Indian civil engineer. He is also a visionary leader who is widely celebrated for transforming the urban transport in India, especially in Delhi. Along with his successful execution of the Delhi metro project, Dr. Sreedharan is also known for other projects like restoration of Pamban bridge and Konkan Railway project.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Elattuvalapi Sreedharan |
Date of Birth | 12th of June, 1932 |
Place of Birth | Karukaputhur, Palakkad district, Kerala, India |
Age | As of 2025, he is 93 years old. |
Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Religion | Hinduism |
Marital Status | Married |
Children | 4 children |
Why is he called the “Metro Man of India”?
Dr. E. Sreedharan is widely recognised as the “Metro Man of India” because of his successful completion of Delhi Metro project. With his strategies and leadership, Dr. Sreedharan completed the project in budget and time. Also, his leadership gave an international standard to the infrastructure of Delhi Metro. Notably, he brought his vision into reality and made a safe, efficient and punctual metro system, hence, transforming the realm of public transport completely. Not just in Delhi, Dr. E. Sreedharan also gave his suggestions and advices to in the metro projects of other cities. These cities include Lucknow and Kochi.
Dr. Sreedharan has earned this title due to his notable achievements in the world of public transport. He has definitely set the standards for future transportation projects.
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Date | Event |
---|---|
1995 | He was appointed as Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation |
In May 1995 | Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was registered as a company |
1st of October, 1998 | Commencement of the construction of Delhi Metro |
24th of December, 2002 | Red Line, that is the first section of Delhi Metro began its operations and became available for the public. |
2005-2011 | Delhi Metro’s phase 2 was completed. It expanded its operations to more areas, connecting more areas of Delhi. |
31st of December, 2011 | Dr. Elattuvalapi Sreedharan retired as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. |
Early Life of Dr. E. Sreedharan
He was born in Karukaputhur, located in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Dr. Sreedharan belongs to a middle-class Malayali family, rich in values and discipline. He has always been a respectful child in his early years and has shown curiosity and hard work. His moral character displays the discipline that he has learnt whole his life. Moreover, Dr. Sreedharan grew up mostly in natural and simple environment that further shaped much of his personality.
Since his childhood, he has shown interest in fixing and building things. His approach to life as an adult is influenced by his determination and sense of responsibility that he has since his early years.
Education and Career
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
School | Basel Evangelical Mission Higher Secondary School, Palakkad, Kerala |
College | Government Engineering College, Kakinada (now known as Jawaharlal Nehru University), Andhra Pradesh |
Degree | Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering |
His strong academic base helped a lot in shaping his notable career in Indian infrastructure and development.
His Honorary Doctorates
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Doctor of Science | Eg, from IIT Delhi and Mahamaya Technical University |
Doctor of Letters | By Rajasthan Technological University, Kota |
Doctor of Philosophy | IIT Roorkee |
- He began his career as a lecturer, however, joined Indian Railways in the year 1954. He began his career in this field as an Indian Engineering Service Officer.
- His earliest notable achievements include the restoration of Pamban Bridge.
- He was the Director and the Chairman of Konkan Railway Project in the year 1990. This project remarkably displays his leadership skills.
- In the year 1995, he was appointed Managing Director of DMRC.
- In the year 2011, he retired as the Managing Director of DMRC.
All his projects show achievements that are rare in the world of Indian transportation and Infrastructure. Therefore, he has set a high standard under his leadership and has inspired the metro systems of other cities as well.
Awards
Year | Awards |
---|---|
2001 | Padma Shri |
2003 | 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine |
2005 | Chevalier de la Légiond’Honneur |
2008 | Padma Vibhushan |
Family And Personal Life

- He trusts, believes and values the lessons from the Bhagavad Gita.
- Dr. Sreedharan believes in leading a simple life.
- Believes in silent service and stays away from the limelight.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Father | K. Neelakantan Moosad |
Mother | Ammalu Amma |
Wife | Radha Sreedharan |
Children | Ramesh Shanthi Menon Achyuth Menon M. Krishnadas |
Conclusion
Dr. E. Sreedharan, the “Metro Man of India”, is a civil engineer and a project manager knows majorly for his successful execution of infrastructure and development projects. Majorly, he is recognised for his brilliant leadership work and completing projects in budget and on time. Dr. Sreedharan has successfully added the international standards in the infrastructure of Delhi Metro. Also, he has inspired other cities’ metro systems by his amazing work and skills.
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