Abstract
Concrete pillars of the metro rail are a noticeable skyline feature for new comers in Delhi. Today 190 km of its huge network is operational and transports about 3 million passengers every day. This chapter deals with the financing instrument of the metro rail through land value capture: the metro rail leads to a spatial cohabitation of transport functions as well as real estate within Delhi. We will show that among state actors, the central state acting through special agencies dominates the landscape. Megaprojects as delineated geographic space are tools to assert control over urban land management. An analysis of a project in East Delhi reveals that the relations between powerful actors enable the mobilization at different scales of specific rules and relationships with the law as resources to define and control the megaproject. However, the social issue directly related to the impacts of the megaproject is delegated to elected politicians at lower scales of decision.
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Notes
- 1.
The spaces within the stations are leased for a period of 3–4 years to private players and the external spaces are largely granted to property developers for periods ranging from 20 to 50 years, and 90 years for residential projects.
- 2.
B. Bon’s interview with DMRC.
- 3.
For each construction phase of the network, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation granted a loan to the DMRC.
- 4.
An upfront payment is made by the private concessionaire to the DMRC for a period of 90 ans.
- 5.
B. Bon’s interview with DMRC, Delhi, 2013.
- 6.
Between 1996 and 2003 property prices (sale and rent of property in the commercial as well as the residential sector) fell by 40–50 % as compared to prices in 1995 and 1996.
- 7.
Architect residing and working in Delhi. Interview with B. Bon (Delhi, 20 May 2013).
- 8.
According to DDA planners (interview with B. Bon 2012 and 2013).
- 9.
The majority of jean manufacturing units are informal units and are located on the ground floor of dwellings.
- 10.
The process of regularization, which confers a legal status to the colony, is expected to increase the value of plots and houses, provide access to bank loans for the residents, and should lead to the improvement of public infrastructure of the colony (Zimmer, 2012).
- 11.
According to the MLA (B. Bon interview, August 2012).
- 12.
According to the Temple Guru (B. Bon interview, August 2012).
- 13.
Interviews conducted by B.Bon in residential areas adjacent to this megaproject (in 2011, 2012 and 2013).
- 14.
Emma Tarlo (2000) uses the notion of “translation” while referring to the existence of several “intermediaries” at the level of residential colonies who act “professionally” to bridge the gap between urban society and political discourse.
- 15.
The megaproject was built on agricultural land. Most residents who came from villages of the state of Uttar Pradesh were employed as agricultural workers on the land occupied today by the megaproject; and now live in huts or in small one room house in the immediate proximity or against the wall of the megaproject.
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Bérénice Bon (2016). Megaproject, Rules and Relationships with the Law: The Metro Rail in East Delhi. In: Chakravarty, S., Negi, R. (eds) Space, Planning and Everyday Contestations in Delhi. Exploring Urban Change in South Asia. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2154-8_10
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