'Normally I don't go against their advice but I told them not to intervene this time.'

He said: 'Perhaps, if I quit and the new man comes in - it may be a setback to the projects but my personal conviction about this can not be compromised on.'

Sreedharan, 77, has been at the helm of affairs of the DMRC as since November 1997 and has been instrumental in the completion of most projects within the budget and well ahead of schedule.

Junior officials of Metro's media cell weren't aware of the decision. Tears rolled down many employees' faces after the initial shock sank in.

'We came thinking this would be a normal incident report in which MD sir would order an enquiry . This is totally unexpected,' a DMRC official, who did not want to be named, said.

Another official said: 'We did not think such a drastic step would be taken. I hope he reconsiders. The way DMRC works is at stake.'

As Sreedharan left the room, reporters asked what would happen to Delhi Metro's pending projects and its employees, to which he replied: 'I know many people will be demoralized in DMRC. But no one is indispensable in any organisation - there are more competent people.'

He also said he had not spoken to the chief minister and that it was 'too premature' to comment on what his future role in DMRC would be.

Sreedharan has been responsible for the construction of the Metro rail project, the modern mass transport system in the national capital that has brought relief to tens of thousands of commuters every day in this crowded city of 17 million people.

The Delhi Metro boasts of having used the most advanced technology in the field of civil, electrical, signalling and telecommunication engineering worldwide.