New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Delhi Metro's Mundka-Bahadurgarh section and said that his government's priority is to build convenient, comfortable and affordable urban transport systems in cities.
Inaugurating the latest section via video conference, he said there was a direct link between connectivity and development.
The 11.2-km-long fully elevated Mundka-Bahadurgarh section of the Metro's Green Line, will facilitate travel of people employed in industrial units along the corridor, besides catering to the city youth studying in Haryana's upcoming educational hub.
With seven stations, the Mundka-Bahadurgarh stretch is an extension of the existing Green Line (standard-gauge tracks) from Inderlok to Mundka.
"Our government brought out a policy relating to metros. This is because we felt aspects relating to metro systems need greater coherence and work as per a basic set of standards," Mr Modi said, in his address.
He also said that the government wants to boost Make in India by making coaches of the metro in India itself. "Several nations helped us in the making of the Delhi Metro and other metros, and now, we are helping other nations by designing coaches for their metro systems," Modi said.
He pointed out that the process of making metro systems is also linked to cooperative federalism.
"Wherever metros are being built in India, the Centre and the respective state governments are working together. New India requires new and smart infrastructure. We have worked on roads, railways, highways, airways, waterways and i-ways. There is unparalleled focus on connectivity and ensuring development projects are completed on time," the PM said.
Bahadurgarh, Mr Modi said, is witnessing tremendous economic growth. There are several educational centres, students from there even travel to Delhi. "The Delhi Metro will bring convenience to this part, which is considered the gateway to Haryana. We have seen how the Metro in Delhi has positively impacted the lives of citizens," Mr Modi added.
Union urban development minister Hardeep Puri and Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar attended the function in Bahadurgarh.
After the opening of this corridor, the entire Inderlok-Bahadurgarh section would become 26.33-km long. The Delhi Metro network will now expand to 288 km with 208 stations. This section will be Metro's third foray into Haryana.
In Delhi, stations will be Mundka Industrial Area, Ghevra, Tikri Kalan and Tikri Border, while in Haryana, it will be Modern Industrial Estate, Bus Stand and City Park.
