The Sreedharan way of life

It took them 190 km and 14 years to muster the courage to let him go. And yet, two weeks before E Sreedharan quits as managing director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), their trepidation is palpable. The question is not whether Phase III of the Delhi Metro will be completed by its deadline - 2016. The question is whether it will be done the Sreedharan way. Will his legacy continue after he is no longer at the steering wheel?The man himself is unruffled. Sreedharan has full faith in his team to carry forward Delhi Metro's sterling tradition.After all, the credit for the project's success must go to the 7,000 employees who work hard everyday, he says.This is Sreedharan the leader, who has evolved a system that he believes, can do without him. This is Sreedharan the man, who is self-effacing in his humility and can't be bothered with glory.Yet, in the past decade fame chased him. As the Delhi Metro rolled out track after track with speed, precision and transparency, the 'Metroman' became the icon for many Indians.