Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line connecting Noida’s Botanical Garden with Kalkaji Mandir in south Delhi on 25 December. He took the inaugural ride of the new metro along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP Governor Ram Naik, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief Mangu Singh.
Yogi Adityanath called the inauguration a “milestone towards realising the dreams of development for Noida and Greater Noida region”.
All our decisions are to bring a change in the life of common man. Crores of rupees have been spent for this metro. I don’t believe that any of the top industrialists of the country will be using it. You people will be commuting through this. And I have come here for all of you.Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was absent from the inauguration ceremony, was reportedly not invited.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh criticised the Narendra Modi-led Central government for its "hatred" towards Arvind Kejriwal, terming the Delhi Chief Minister's exclusion from the inauguration of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line their "cheap mentality".
The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday.
The 12.64-km section – part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor – has nine stations.
The prime minister boarded the metro at Botanical Garden, which is the terminal station of the Magenta Line, at 1:05 pm, and alighted at the Okhla Birds Sanctuary following a four-minute ride. Both stations fall in Noida, a suburban town in Uttar Pradesh bordering New Delhi.
Security had been tightened ahead of Modi’s visit to Noida.
The elite Special Protection Group, which provides security to the Prime Minister, had taken control of the premises. Provincial Armed Constabulary and paramilitary forces were also part of the security at the venue.
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
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