Scripting yet another chapter in its history, the Delhi Metro crossed the capital for the first time as a brand new train chugged into Noida. The Metro's move into the satellite township of Delhi is expected to bring a paradigm shift in the travelling habits of people in the National Capital Region.

The 13.1 km Yamuna Bank-Noida line was inaugurated by Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan at the newly-built Akshardham station.

Reddy and Dikshit flagged off the fully decorated first train to the Noida City Centre (Sector-32).

This was the first time a Metro train formally entered Uttar Pradesh.

Two hours later, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati received the train at the Noida City Centre station and flagged off the first train from there. She also travelled on the Metro till Noida Sector 16 and back to the city centre station.

Sreedharan and other DMRC officials also participated in a special pooja and havan at the Noida station on the occasion of the inauguration.

The line, which will be open for the public from 6 am on Friday, will benefit thousands of people in east Delhi, trans-Yamuna areas and Noida.

DMRC's estimate is that about 53,000 people will daily use the new age transport system after the opening of the Noida corridor.

The Noida corridor, built at a cost of Rs 630 crore, is completely elevated and will be integrated with the existing 34.3 km Yamuna Bank-Dwarka Sector-9 segment, extending the total length of Line-3 to 47.4 km.

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