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Message in a Metro: Building Urban Rail Infrastructure and Image in Delhi, India

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  • MATTI SIEMIATYCKI

Abstract

The world over, infrastructure mega projects have become more prevalent, even as evidence suggests that such projects often experience significant cost overruns while failing to fully deliver on their projected benefits. In this light, this article will argue that continued support for infrastructure mega projects stems from the way that such projects are presented to the public. Using the case of the development of a metro railway in Delhi, India, it shows that galvanizing public support and attracting patrons to a public transit system stems from creating an all‐round positive image that combines tangible variables with an intangible set of symbolic meanings. Of course, image is only an impression, and does not necessarily reflect reality. In this light, the final section of this article examines the broad physical and societal implications of the metro development in Delhi, and uncovers the driving forces behind the project. The article concludes that, in spite of the cultivation of a positive image, the specific metro form that was developed in Delhi to satisfy each of the special interest groups involved in its production might be specifically one that fails to suit the transportation needs of the city.

Suggested Citation

  • Matti Siemiatycki, 2006. "Message in a Metro: Building Urban Rail Infrastructure and Image in Delhi, India," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 277-292, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:30:y:2006:i:2:p:277-292
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2006.00664.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Galit Cohen-Blankshtain & Eran Feitelson, 2011. "Light rail routing: do goals matter?," Transportation, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 343-361, March.
    3. Cohen-Blankshtain, Galit, 2021. "On another track: Differing views of experts and politicians on rail investments in peripheral localities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    4. Hillary Angelo & Christine Hentschel, 2015. "Interactions with infrastructure as windows into social worlds: A method for critical urban studies: Introduction," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2-3), pages 306-312, June.
    5. Weiqiang Lin & Qi Ai, 2020. "‘Aerial Silk Roads’: Airport Infrastructures in China's Belt and Road Initiative," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 51(4), pages 1123-1145, July.
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    7. Joshi, Saakshi & Bailey, Ajay & Datta, Anindita, 2021. "On the move? Exploring constraints to accessing urban mobility infrastructures," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 61-74.
    8. Phani Kumar, P. & Ravi Sekhar, Ch. & Parida, Manoranjan, 2018. "Residential dissonance in TOD neighborhoods," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 166-177.
    9. Joshi, Saakshi & Bailey, Ajay, 2023. "What happens next? Exploring women's transport motility through the story completion method," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    10. Deeksha Tayal & Aasha Kapur Mehta, 2021. "Working Women, Delhi Metro and Covid-19: A Case Study in Delhi-NCR," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 64(2), pages 389-413, June.
    11. COLIN McFARLANE & JONATHAN RUTHERFORD, 2008. "Political Infrastructures: Governing and Experiencing the Fabric of the City," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 363-374, June.
    12. Parry, Ian W.H. & Timilsina, Govinda R., 2009. "Pricing externalities from passenger transportation in Mexico city," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5071, The World Bank.
    13. María José Álvarez Rivadulla & Diana Bocarejo, 2014. "Beautifying the Slum: Cable Car Fetishism in Cazucá, Colombia," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 2025-2041, November.
    14. Raffael Beier, 2020. "The world-class city comes by tramway: Reframing Casablanca’s urban peripheries through public transport," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(9), pages 1827-1844, July.
    15. Sinha, Meenakshi, 2021. "Harnessing land value capture: Perspectives from India’s urban rail corridors," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    16. Julie Gamble, 2017. "Experimental Infrastructure: Experiences in Bicycling in Quito, Ecuador," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(1), pages 162-180, January.

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