The flower-bedecked Metro train that began its run between Delhi and Noida on Thursday got a warm send-off from the two ends by the first ladies of these states, and both in a veiled competitive tone announced the service as a personal achievement.

The Metro between Akshardham and Noida City Centre saw two inauguration ceremonies, the first after noon in Delhi from where it left, and also at the terminus in Noida a couple of hours later, before it began its return journey to Delhi.

In Delhi, the train was flagged off by Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. It, however, had an indifferent debut run towards the neighbouring state since no leader or senior official rode in it.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Mayawati sent off the train from the Noida City Centre and also travelled in it till the Noida Sector 16 station, Z+ security and all. She was accompanied by Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) E Sreedharan.

At the inauguration ceremony in Akshardham, Dikshit said: “Stepping out of the confines of Delhi, DMRC will now reach NCR. The first train has been flagged off and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will receive it at the Noida City Centre. By next year-end, those living here for decades will not be able to recognise Delhi.”

On the other end, Mayawati claimed: “Soon after I took over as the chief minister, I asked the Noida Authority to connect the city with Metro and to engage the DMRC for this.” She congratulated her government for bringing the Metro ‘on time’, though it had missed its June deadline by a whisker.

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