INDIA: The 13·1 km 10-station branch of Delhi Metro Line 3 from Yamuna Bank to Noida City Centre was inaugurated on November 12, and entered commercial service at 06.00 the following day.
Two ceremonies were held to mark the occasion, which extends the metro beyond Delhi’s borders for the first time. The last six stations are located in Uttar Pradesh.
In Delhi, Union Minister of Urban Development Jaipal Reddy and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off a train from Akshardam station at 12.45 and travelled as far as New Ashok Nagar. Two hours later, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati flagged the first train off from Noida City Centre, accompanying it as far as Noida Sector-16.
Built at a cost of Rs6·3bn, the elevated alignment extends Line 3 to 47·4 km and connects Noida with Dwarka Sector 9 in western Delhi. Initially two out of three trains from Dwarka will turn back at Yamuna Bank whilst the third will continue to Noida. Around 53 000 passengers a day are expected to use the new link.
The extension was originally due to open in October but was delayed whilst viaduct piers were strengthened after cracks were discovered.
