As the new Noida metro link was made fully operational today, residents of the satellite city and other adjoining areas heaved a sigh of relief for getting a faster and economical mode of transport to reach the national capital.
After the ceremonial flag-off yesterday, the Noida-Dwarka corridor was thrown open to the public from 6am today from the Noida City Centre station and Dwarka stations.
People thronged the Metro stations to experience a safe, comfortable and fast journey to the national capital. Huge rush could be seen at all stations in Noida to board the Metro and there were reports that all trains were crowded.
Arvind, a government employee who travels from Noida Sector 18 to Shastri Bhawan daily, said he would travel by Metro from today as the new age transport system will take less time to the destination and is also economical.
"I shell out around Rs25 everyday in buses to reach Shastri Bhawan. Now in just Rs21, I can reach Central Secretariat station in about 35 minutes from Noida. As I use smart card, the fare comes to Rs 19," he said as he alighted from a metro train at the Central Secretariat station in Delhi.
The new corridor, built at a cost of Rs630 crore, is completely elevated and will be integrated with the existing 34.3km Yamuna Bank-Dwarka Sector-9 segment, extending the total length of Line-3 to 47.4km.
One can hope to travel from Noida City Centre to Dwarka Sec-9 in 90 minutes by spending Rs30.
Meanwhile, some passengers complained that the train frequency was less, but hoped that the DMRC will increase the frequency very soon based on the response.
Ankita, a software professional who took a Metro train from Mayur Vihar to Rajiv Chowk, said she prefers to travel in Metro as it is cheaper than bus and also gives a "lot of comfort."
"Though I had to wait for around 15 minutes at the Mayur Vihar extension station today to get a Metro, I don't mind waiting. I shell out Rs 15 in buses and since I have a smart card I was charged only Rs 14. Its a cheaper mode of transport
for me," she said.
The line will benefit thousands of people in east Delhi, trans-Yamuna areas and Noida.
DMRC has projected that about 53,000 passengers daily are expected to join the new age transport system after the opening of the Noida corridor.
The DMRC will run eight broad gauge trains on the line and introduce more trains to tackle rush on the section.
The hike in metro fares also came into effect from today and evoked a mixed-response.
While some people say it has put a burden on their pocket, others say they don't mind spending extra money.
Akshay Kumar, a journalist who travels from Karol Bagh to Pragati Maidan everyday, said though he was aware of the fare hike he did not remember till he was told by his colleague.
"Since I hold a Smart Card I did not check the balance. But one or two rupees doesn't make a difference for me."
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