Prime Minister
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee today flagged off the inaugural run
of Delhi Metro Rail between Tis Hazari and Shahdara in the capital.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Vajpayee said that with this inaugural
run Delhiites’ long cherished dream has come true. "With
Japan and Korea extending financial and technical support, Delhi
Metro Rail Project has emerged as a model of international cooperation
thus putting at rest all doubts about cooperation between the
Central and State Governments in such developmental endeavors",
he added. The Prime Minister expressed hope that Metro Rail transport
would help in improving traffic and reducing pollution in the
capital.
In his address,
Deputy Prime Minister Shri.L.K. Advani said that the kind of synergy
displayed by the central and state governments has been responsible
for the successful completion of this project and expressed hope
that the same kind of cooperation will be shown by the Government
and the people (Rajah and Prajah) in future.
Minister for Urban
Development and Poverty Alleviation Shri Ananth Kumar while thanking
Japan and Korean Governments for their cooperation in the entire
project, said that this 8.3 km stretch between Tis Hazari and
Shahdara will help in commuting 2 lakh passengers per day and
when completed by 2005, 28 lakh people can utilise services on
this 63 km MRTS Project per day. He also said that cities like
Hyderabad and Bangalore have come forward with proposals for starting
similar projects.
Among others present
on the occasion were Minister of State for Urban Development Shri
O. Rajagopal, Lt. Governor of Delhi, Shri Vijay Kapoor, Chief
Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chairman, DMRC, Shri Madan
Lal Khurana and Managing Director of DMRC Shri Sreedharan. Earlier
in the day, Prime Minister inaugurated the Metro Rail Station
at Kashmiri Gate and boarded the train to reach Seelampur Railway
Station where he addressed a public meeting. He was accompanied
by Shri L.K. Advani, Shri Ananth Kumar and Shri O. Rajagopal.
It may be noted
that the phase-I of Delhi MRTS Project (63 kms.) is estimated
to cost Rs. 10571 crore excluding custom duty and works contract
tax. It is implemented by Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. with equity
participation to the tune of 50:50 each by Government of India
and Delhi Government.
