Case Study II: Calcuttas Metro

I. Problem Definition
According to the critics one of the slowest-moving public work projects ever
conceived and implemented was the Metro subway in Calcutta. It was 23
years in the making and has a final estimated cost of almost $5 billion. The
project manager is finding out the root cause on why it had taken so long and
the cost is too excessive.

II. Discussion of Issues

Population in Calcutta is significantly high with an estimated 11 million
residents
Decision to begin construction right in the middle of the city wherein
problems with soil removal and heavy equipment transportation rose
dramatically.
Poor funding slowed the development process
Traffic could not be diverted from the roads since the road itself is
congested.
Absence of master plan showing the location of underground utilities
and cable lines
Shop owners are against the Metros construction because they are
worried that it would affect their commerce.
Utilizing thousands of laborers which led to huge social umbrella for
employees and their families, as housing, schools, and medical
centers were created and subsidized by Metro Authority

III. Alternative Courses of Action

Action Advantages Disadvantages

Start at one of the - Construction will - Traffic will
terminal points not be affecting eventually build
 first the busy road as the project
- Easier to build the goes by
subway if two
endpoints were
started
- Provide alternate
routes
Provide sufficient fund - Raw materials will - Higher positioned
for the project be available for fast employees will
construction subsidize raw
- Workers will work materials to be
efficiently able to bribe
money
Improve labor system - Division of work will - Slow construction
be effective of the project
- Workers will not be
crowded in the
workplace
Terminate the project - No cost will be - No alternative
incur transportation
- Will not cause - Roads will be
traffic on the road over crowded

IV. Recommendation
The students recommend starting the project at one of the terminal points
to be able to avoid traffic. Since the root cause is the road itself because it
is congested, provide alternative routes if possible. Provide sufficient
funds for the raw material and over all construction of the Metro subway
and also for the salary of the workers for them to be able to work
efficiently. Considering the circumstances, the project manager should
consider these factors since this will benefit both the workers and the
 people of Calcutta. By doing so it will lessen the congestion of roads in the
long run once the subway is built and implemented.

V. Epilogue
In building a public transportation one must consider not only the
project itself but the surrounding and demographic of the project. It is
important to consider the number of people, traffic conditions, and the
following circumstance that would affect in building a public transport. This
should be an important factor before executing a project.