The Hindu Business Line : Delhi Metro rail section inaugurated

The UPA Chairperson and Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, holds a miniature of the Delhi Metro rail during the inauguration of underground line II on Saturday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , July 2

THE UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday inaugurated the underground stretch of Delhi Metro connecting the heart of national capital with Kashmere Gate, and said the new mode of transport would reduce traffic jams in the Capital, saving a lot of time for commuters.

The Union Urban Development Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Delhi Lt Governor, Mr B L Joshi, the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, the State Transport Minister, Mr Haroon Yusuf and the Union Urban Development Secretary, Mr Anil Baijal, were also present at the inauguration ceremony at the Central Secretariat Metro Station here.

Ms Gandhi, who took a ride on the train from Patel Chowk to Rajiv Chowk station in Connaught Place after buying a ticket, said the Metro could become a complete success only when every citizen lends his mite in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring safety of travellers.

"We realised this dream through our combined efforts. The ongoing development activities, once completed, will improve people's standard of life and enhance the face of Delhi," she said.

She pointed out that several other cities had also expressed desire to implement similar projects and the UPA Government was committed to improving conditions in them through the National Urban Renewal Mission.

The new seven-km sectionwould open for public from Sunday and is part of the about 11-km Vishwa Vidyalaya to Central Secretariat underground line. The Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate section with seven stations at Kashmere Gate, Delhi Main, Chawri Bazar, New Delhi, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat, completes the underground Line II of Delhi Metro built at a cost of Rs 2,200 crore.

The Kashmere Gate-Delhi University section of the underground stretch was inaugurated in December last year by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.

Two lines of the Delhi Metro are already operational. This includes the elevated section between Shahdara in the North-East and Rithala in North-West and the underground section Delhi University and Kashmere Gate.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Dikshit said 1.3 lakh passengers used the existing line resulting in reduction of 1,000 vehicles from the city's streets.

"We expect about 70,000 people more to use it when the new section is opened to the public. Another 1,000 vehicles are expected to go off the roads as a result,'' she added.

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