PM Modi surprises Delhi Metro commuters, takes ride on public transport to inaugurate Ambedkar memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday surprised Delhi Metro commuters when he took a short ride on the public transport. He travelled from his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg to Alipur Road in Delhi where he inaugurated the Dr Ambedkar national memorial.

Enthusiastic commuters clicked selfies with the Prime Minister at the metro station and inside the train during evening rush hour. 

The Ambedkar memorial at 26, Alipur Road is built at the the place where the Dalit icon had breathed his last on December 6, 1956.

Modi had laid the foundation stone of the memorial on March 21, 2016.

#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with metro commuters on his way to 26, Alipur Road, where he will dedicate Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial to the nation #Delhi pic.twitter.com/ytx3lB4QAf

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

The memorial has been given the shape of a book. The museum at the memorial intends to create a detailed experience of Ambedkar's life and and his contribution to India through extensive use of static media, dynamic media, audio-visual content, and multimedia technologies.

A meditation hall has also been created. Toran Dwars, a Bodhi Tree, a musical fountain, and facade lighting are other important elements of the memorial, a statement said.

Hitting out at political parties for politicising the legacy of B R Ambedkar, Prime Minister Modi had earlier this month said that no regime had honoured the Dalit icon like his government had.

The PM's remarks had come close on the heels of widespread violent protests over a Supreme Court verdict putting in place "safeguards" to prevent the misuse of a law to prevent atrocities against SCs and STs. 

(With PTI inputs)