India facing dearth of civil engineers: Sreedharan

DMRC chief Sreedharan today rued declining standards of civil engineering in the country and said "severe shortage" of efficient engineers has affected quality in infrastructure projects.

Sreedharan was speaking here after receiving the "Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award" instituted by Institution of Civil Engineers.

"Civil Engineering standards, particularly in construction industry is not up to the mark. We are not being able to meet out country's infrastructural needs," the DMRC chief said.

"There is severe shortage of architectural and civil engineers. Where are they? Most of the good engineers either choose management or go for other remunerative fields." 

Talking about the metro system in the city, he said DMRC's motto is to ensure "highest efficiency and best standard."

"We have been able to give the city a worldclass metro system, carrying 14 lakh passengers everyday," he said. 

Speaking on the occasion, Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council chairman Paul L Mitchell praised Shreedharan for "pushing the knowledge of civil engineering across the border."

He was referring to DMRC's help to countries such as Indonesia, Ireland and Sri Lanka to develop their own metro rail system.