Delhi Metro chugs into Noida

The Delhi Metro on Thursday achieved another milestone when a brand new train chugged into Noida, It has finally crossed the border to the first suburb Noida. The Delhi-Noida link was inaugurated on Thursday. It has been thrown open to the public on Friday.

The 13.1 km Yamuna Bank-Noida line was inaugurated by Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy in the presence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the newly-built Akshardham station here. Reddy flagged off the first train with destination to Noida City Centre (Sector-32). This is the first time a Metro train formally enters Noida.

The line, which will be opened for public from 6 am on Friday, is expected to bring a paradigm shift in the travelling habits of thousands of people in East Delhi and trans-Yamuna areas. The Noida Metro corridor will make travelling to trans-Yamuna areas like Mayur Vihar, Ashok Nagar in east Delhi and Noida much easier.. and also ease traffic on the Noida Highway as well as the ITO junction.

The Noida corridor, built at a cost of Rs 630 crore, is completely elevated and will be integrated with the existing 34.3 km Yamuna Bank-Dwarka Sector-9 segment, extending the total length of the Line-3 to 47.4 km. The line is also the first where the DMRC missed its deadline. The corridor was scheduled for opening in October.

DMRC has projected that about 53,000 passengers daily are expected to join the new age transport system after the opening of the Noida corridor. The DMRC will run eight brand-new broad gauge trains, procured from Bombardier, on the line presently. The Metro stations on the Noida corridor will have a completely new and modern look. Parking facility has been provided at all stations till New Ashok Nagar and in Noida at Botanical Garden and Noida City Centre stations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati flagged off the train in Noida. Seen along with her in the picture is Delhi Metro Rail Managing Director E Sreedharan.

The Delhi Metro crossing the national capital's border for the first time, paving the way for thousands of commuters in East Delhi and the satellite industrial town of UP to enjoy the new age transport system.

Passengers get their smart cards ready to make their Metro rides more convenient.