For employees of Delhi Metro, there is no time to waste. A clock reminds them how many days are left before new sections of rail are scheduled to open.

Plans are well underway for a 122km extension of Delhi Metro into the city’s southern neighbourhoods as well as a high-speed rail link between the airport and city centre. The first signs of new stations are springing up across the capital as Delhi Metro races to build its second phase in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 when thousands of tourists and athletes will flock to this swelling city of 16m.