Interview Insights:
About: Dr. Raju, leading AECOM’s Transportation and Heavy infrastructure business for India as part of the Europe and India region of the global consulting company. He has been instrumental in securing major metro projects in 18 Indian cities and driving AECOM’s growth across Asia, managing a team of 2,000 professionals with a turnover of ₹650 crores.
A registered Professional Engineer and Fellow of renowned institutions, Dr. Raju has delivered landmark projects globally and received accolades like AECOM’s Global Excellence Award and the Hyperloop Global Challenge. With a Ph.D. from NTU Singapore and a gold medal from IIT Madras, he is a recognized leader in infrastructure development.
Rail Analysis: AECOM has worked on several metro rail projects in India. Can you please share with us the updated footprint of AECOM in India in the rail and metro sector?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: AECOM has established a strong and expanding presence in India’s rail and metro sector since the early 2000s, contributing significantly to the transformation of urban and regional transportation systems across Indian cities. Our expertise spans across a wide range of services, including planning, design, project management, and consultancy, on several high-profile projects. In the metro sector, AECOM has played a crucial role in developing metro systems in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Surat and Ahmedabad. We have been involved in design of elevated and underground corridors, station infrastructure, and systems integration, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and efficiency to help our clients achieve operational excellence.
In the rail sector, AECOM’s contributions include involvement in high-speed rail, semi-high-speed rail, regional rapid transit systems (RRTS), and dedicated freight corridors (DFCC). We are also a key contributor to the National Rail Plan (NRP), a document that outlined the long-term strategy for rail infrastructure development aimed at meeting the future freight and passenger demand. Our work on the NRP emphasizes optimizing network usage, introducing high-speed rail and dedicated freight corridors, and integrating urban transport systems with national railways and ports.
AECOM’s expertise is further highlighted through landmark projects like the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, Jiribam-Tupul railway line in the North East and the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Projects. The latter, a strategic project to improve connectivity to Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage destinations, involves complex tunneling and engineering to foster regional development and tourism. These initiatives are vital in driving India’s economic growth by enhancing regional connectivity and optimizing transportation for both passengers and freight. AECOM’s commitment to excellence, backed by our global expertise and cutting-edge technology, ensures that our projects meet the highest international standards.
Rail Analysis: Could you elaborate on the challenges your team faced during the Mumbai Metro Line 3 project? How does your team plan to address these challenges in the current project?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: The Mumbai Metro Line 3 project, India’s first fully underground metro corridor, posed unique challenges that required a combination of innovative and collaborative solutions. The project’s success was driven by careful attention to Mumbai’s complex geology, which includes basalt rock, mixed ground conditions, and soft soil. This complexity necessitated precise geotechnical investigations and the use of advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that could adapt to varying ground conditions. The congested urban environment added another layer of complexity, as careful planning was essential to minimize disruptions to residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Stringent safety measures and innovative construction techniques played a key role in mitigating risks, while traffic management and accessibility during construction were handled through seamless coordination with various stakeholders. Environmental conservation efforts were equally important, with measures in place to minimize noise, vibration, and air quality impacts during tunneling activities.
A key technological achievement was the deployment of custom-built Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which were used to excavate 2.9 km of parallel tunnels. These TBMs, a first in India, featured dual-mode, crossover capabilities, with horizontal screw conveyors and high-speed cutterhead drives. Additionally, the hybrid TBM/NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) technique was implemented for the platform tunnels in basalt rock, combining TBM for bench excavation and NATM for crown excavation. This approach set new benchmarks in tunneling and ensured efficiency in the challenging geological conditions.
“To tackle similar challenges in current and future projects, AECOM is applying a range of strategies that build on the insights gained from the Mumbai Metro Line 3 project. These include leveraging advanced technologies like 3-D finite element models and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to model and optimize design and construction processes and identify potential risks early.”
We are also prioritizing proactive stakeholder engagement, fostering collaboration across all parties involved. Sustainability remains a core focus, with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs being integrated into projects. Additionally, our teams are equipped with cutting-edge techniques through enhanced workforce training, and comprehensive risk management frameworks are in place to address any unforeseen challenges promptly. By adopting these strategies, AECOM ensures that our projects meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability, while addressing the complex needs of India’s rapidly evolving urban infrastructure landscape.
Rail Analysis: Would you like to discuss the role AECOM is planning to play in Patna Metro Project?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: AECOM is the design consultant for the complete Patna metro project. It has two lines and a depot covering Phase 1 of the project. The elevated stretches are at an advanced stage of construction while two underground packages will soon commence construction.
Rail Analysis: How is developing a metro project in India different from Global levels? How can Indian planning become more cohesive to make the project further sustainable?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: Developing metro projects in India presents unique challenges that differ significantly from global projects due to the country’s high population density, rapid urbanization, and socio-economic complexities. Unlike many cities globally, where urban planning is often more organized, Indian metros must manage vast passenger volumes, navigate unplanned urban layouts, and contend with major hurdles related to land acquisition, utilities and resettlement of project affected people. These challenges are further compounded by the proximity of key infrastructure, requiring careful traffic management and public safety during construction in dense urban environments. Cost sensitivity is a critical factor in India, where the need to balance advanced technology with affordability is paramount to ensuring metro systems remain accessible to all socioeconomic groups. Additionally, environmental, and social considerations—such as minimizing disruptions during construction and ensuring the rehabilitation of affected communities—further increase the complexity of metro development in the country.
“To ensure the sustainability and cohesiveness of metro planning in India, integrated urban transport systems should be prioritized. This means fostering seamless connectivity between metro systems and other modes of transport, which will significantly enhance overall patronage.”
Key to this is improving last-mile connectivity, ensuring easy access to metro stations through feeder services such as buses, e-rickshaws, cycling lanes, and pedestrian-friendly skyways and pathways. The adoption of eco-friendly construction practices and the integration of renewable energy sources are crucial to reducing the environmental impact of metro systems. Energy-efficient operations can also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the projects. Furthermore, proactive community engagement and enhanced safety protocols can minimize disruptions, while optimizing traffic flow during construction ensures that daily life in these densely populated areas is not unduly affected. The Indian Government has been pivotal in advancing metro development, most notably through the Metro Rail Policy 2017.
This policy emphasizes multi-modal integration, sustainability, and the importance of public-private partnerships. It also supports the indigenization of technologies through initiatives such as Make in India, which encourages the local manufacturing of metro components and systems. By focusing on these strategies—improving last-mile connectivity, integrating sustainable practices, and leveraging global best practices while accounting for India’s specific needs—metro development in India can become more cohesive, sustainable, and aligned with international standards. This approach will result in efficient, safe, and inclusive urban transport solutions, driving progress in urban mobility across the country. Viability gap funding should be enhanced for metro rail projects due to their large capital expenditure and long gestation period. This will encourage private sector participation in this sector.
Rail Analysis: How is AECOM strategizing to contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative? Is AECOM planning to focus on a specific area of development in India’s metro and rail sector?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: AECOM is fully aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative, which envisions the country’s transformation into a self-reliant, advanced, and inclusive nation over the next two decades. By focusing on delivering transformative infrastructure solutions, AECOM aims to support India’s long-term development goals. Our Think and Act Global and sustainable legacies brings the best of our global expertise and local knowledge together to deliver complex projects. Our approach centers on sustainability, innovation, and leveraging global expertise to address India’s unique challenges in urbanization, mobility, and environmental conservation. Through these efforts, we are committed to enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life for millions of people across the country.
In the metro and rail sector, AECOM is prioritizing key areas of development that are critical to the growth of India’s infrastructure landscape. This includes designing and implementing next-generation metro and rail systems with an emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency, and improving passenger convenience. By integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin solutions, we are optimizing system performance, streamlining processes, and enhancing resilience and operational integrity.
These technologies allow for predictive maintenance, real-time data analysis, and improved decision-making, all of which contribute to creating more efficient, sustainable transport systems. AECOM is also dedicated to fostering seamless multi-modal connectivity, which is crucial for improving the efficiency of urban transportation systems. We are focused on enhancing last-mile integration to ensure that metro and rail systems are easily accessible through complementary services like buses, e-rickshaws, cycling lanes, and pedestrian pathways. Furthermore, we are incorporating renewable energy solutions into our projects to align with India’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility and environmental conservation.
“By concentrating on these strategic priorities, AECOM aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s metro and rail infrastructure. We are committed to contributing meaningfully to India’s progress toward the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, helping the country build a resilient, advanced, and inclusive transportation network that will serve generations to come.”
Rail Analysis: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Dr. Raju Gottumukkala V R: AECOM, as a global leader in infrastructure consulting, is fully committed to supporting India’s growth and development through transformative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Our focus is on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in India’s rapidly evolving infrastructure landscape, including urbanization, energy transition, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging our global expertise and local insights, we aim to deliver innovative and tailored solutions that contribute to the nation’s economic progress and connectivity.
The Indian Government’s emphasis on infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth has created a conducive environment for large-scale development. With significant investments and policy initiatives aimed at modernizing transportation, urban infrastructure, and energy systems, the government’s visionary approach has accelerated India’s progress toward becoming a global leader in infrastructure excellence. AECOM is proud to be a part of this journey, contributing to India’s infrastructure modernization and supporting its ambition to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth. Guided by our purpose of “Delivering a Better World,” AECOM emphasizes seamless collaboration with clients and stakeholders to solve complex challenges across multiple sectors, including transportation, real estate, water, energy, and the environment.
Our approach encompasses end-to-end services throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring impactful and sustainable outcomes from initial planning to final delivery. As India continues to invest in its infrastructure future, AECOM remains committed to aligning its efforts with the country’s aspirations for growth and sustainability. By fostering innovation, integrating advanced technologies, and adhering to the highest standards of quality, we aim to play a key role in shaping a better, more connected future for India and its people. Through our work, we are contributing to the realization of India’s infrastructure vision, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
Image credit: AECOM
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