Curious onlookers were even seen waving at the Metro train, placards and small-size hoardings had been put up on apartments welcoming the service.
People here were jubilant today as the long-awaited Metro finally crossed the borders of the national capital and entered the satellite city watched by cheering residents from their houses.
Hundreds of people could be seen standing or sitting on rooftops as the first train chugged into the Noida City Centre and during Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's ride on the Metro. Curious onlookers were even seen waving at the Metro train, placards and small-size hoardings had been put up on apartments welcoming the service.
"Samachar Welcomes Metro" read one banner in Mayur Vihar area on the route. Mayawati, who travelled from the City Centre to Noida Sector16 station on the metro, bought a smart card.
Due to security concerns only DMRC chief E Sreedharan and Mayawati's close associates travelled in the first coach of the train along with the chief minister.
At Noida City Centre, an excited crowd had gathered which tried to enter the platform, putting security guards in a difficult situation. The train, decorated with garlands and with cartoon characters on its outer walls, was received by Mayawati.
City residents were happy that commuting time between to the national capital will now be considerably reduced. Akash, a software professional, who travels from Noida to Connaught Place everyday said, "I am really happy today. From tomorrow I can go to New Delhi in 30 minutes and that too in air-conditioned comfort. I can save more than an hour by travelling in Metro."
Sushmita, a Delhi University North Campus student, was all excited when she saw a Metro cross her home in Mayur Vihar. "I don't have to get up very early in the morning to reach my college. And I don't have to worry about travelling in over-crowded buses anymore," she said.
Metro connectivity will also benefit people in Lakshmi Nagar, Pandav Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Ashok Nagar, Noida Sec-16, 18 and 32 and other adjoining areas. Stations on this route in the national capital will also have feeder bus service. The Mayur Vihar stations will be connected by an already existing feeder bus route.
Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation plans to run feeder buses connecting most of the stations in NOIDA with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}