Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday inaugurated Line 3 of the Delhi Metro, marking the completion of Phase I of the modern mass transport system.
The Metro now covers over 56 kilometres of the capital.
Dr Singh pulled a lever and flagged off the first train on the 22.8 km long Barakhamba-Dwarka stretch amidst cheers at the Rajiv Chowk Station in Central Park in the heart of the city.
Earlier, Dr Singh, along with other special guests on the occasion, including Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, Lieutenant Governor B L Joshi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, took a ride from Rajiv Chowk to Barakhamba and back.
He described the new addition to the Metro network as one more feather in 'Delhi's proud cap' and said it had become a symbol of a really 'New' Delhi.
"They have set an example for all of us to follow that India can do it, that Indians are equal to the best, howsoever difficult the task," he said.
Referring to the interest shown by other cities in having a similar network, Singh said, "I am sure the citizens of other cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi are looking forward to this kind of facility. I am sure DMRC's expertise will be of use while planning metros in these cities."
But he also urged other cities to evolve their own technically and economically feasible solution, adding that the central government will encourage and promote all proven technologies that are considered techno-economically suitable and relevant for Indian conditions -- including rail, bus and other means of transport.
Singh said the government had launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission with the aim of making the urgently needed investment in world-class public infrastructure in India's cities.
"We need to invest in public transport, in roads with space for bicycles and pedestrians, in sanitation, in public parks, airports, railway stations and many other amenities," he said.
"We cannot force people to become dependent on costly private transportation. This will not only increase energy consumption and discriminate against those who cannot afford private transport," Singh added.
