It's difficult to make construction in the USA cheaper without greater acceptance of prefabrication and panelization in the residential sector and lowering of permitting costs.
Not to mention breaking public sector unions, eliminating "Buy American" provisions, and just generally removing all the unique things that no one else in the world does.
Delhi built phase 2 of her metro for $2.9B in 3 years (85 stations, 77 miles of track). NYC build Hudson Yards in 9 years for $2.5B (1 station, 1 mile of track).
Various tricks: Delhi didn't wildly overhire and overpay workers, they bought standard train cars/other equipment from Japanese and German corporations that have a proven record in supplying such things, and eliminated a bunch of red tape. It's almost as if Delhi built a metro with the goal of having a metro rather than with the goal of funneling money to MTA workers.
Delhi built phase 2 of her metro for $2.9B in 3 years (85 stations, 77 miles of track). NYC build Hudson Yards in 9 years for $2.5B (1 station, 1 mile of track).
Various tricks: Delhi didn't wildly overhire and overpay workers, they bought standard train cars/other equipment from Japanese and German corporations that have a proven record in supplying such things, and eliminated a bunch of red tape. It's almost as if Delhi built a metro with the goal of having a metro rather than with the goal of funneling money to MTA workers.