The organisations funding the redevelopment are Network Rail, Wakefield Council, Metro, Railway Heritage Trust, Grand Central Rail, Northern Rail, Groundwork Wakefield, Garfield Weston Foundation, Headley Trust and Eggborough Power Station.

BBC: Wakefield Kirkgate station

Although some of the payout extends beyond just a couple of years, us investing now in revamping our existing infrastructure and then starting to lay the foundation for things like high-speed rail can make all the difference in the world.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks to Press After Cabinet Meeting

Meantime, Sreedharan has not only the rail project but also an advisory board slot at a new Foundation for the Restoration of National Values.

FORBES: Delhi's Subway Builder

The research, which was actually commissioned by the RAC Foundation, the Independent Transport Commission, the Office of Rail Regulation and Transport Scotland, also looks at the corresponding boom on the trains over the same period.

BBC: Which way forward for Britain's car and rail travel?

In the 1990s the foundation poured hundreds of millions of dollars into this project, funding a rail link between Iran and Turkmenistan, new highways, an international airport, a hotel and office buildings.

FORBES: Magazine Article