Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday said the launch of Delhi Metro would go a long way in easing the traffic congestion in the capital and checking pollution.

Inaugurating the Delhi Metro, Vajpayee said running of the underground rail was a long cherished dream of the people, which had been realised.

Vajpayee pressed a button from the dais and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the Metro.

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar, Lieutenant Governor Vijay Kapoor, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Metro Chairman Madan Lal Khurana also spoke on the occasion.

Before inaugurating the Metro, Vajpayee along with Advani also travelled in the train.

"Delhi is the capital of India which is the largest democracy in the world. The population is growing and the people want provision of basic facilities," the prime minister said.

The opening of the Delhi Metro is the result of cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi government, he said. "There is cooperation and it should be... but sometimes there is a skirmish between us."

Vajpayee's remarks come in the wake of the Congress-ruled Delhi government and the Union Urban Development ministry locked in a tussle over the Metro rail.

Congratulating the people of Delhi for the completion of the first phase of the major project, Vajpayee had a word of praise for Japan and Korea for their cooperation. Stating that India and Japan were celebrating 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Vajpayee said when there could be cooperation between India and the foreign countries, there was no reason why similar cooperation should not exist between the Centre and the Delhi government.

Speaking on the occasion, Advani said had there been no cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi government, the launch of Delhi Metro would have been "impossible".

Congratulating all those who worked hard in completing the first part of the project, Advani said, "When Delhi Metro is fully completed, it will be a model for the entire country."