The first train, which left at 12.15 p.m. from Alandur to Koyambedu, was driven by A. Preethi, a 28-year-old diploma holder in engineering.

Steered by a young woman, the first train of the Chennai Metro Rail chugged along from Alandur Station in Chennai on Monday after being flagged off by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

The first train which left at 12.15 p.m. from Alandur to Koyambedu was driven by A. Preethi, a 28-year-old diploma holder in engineering from Government Dharmambal Polytechnic College in Chennai.

The Chief Minister inaugurated it by flagging it off via live video from the State Secretariat in Chennai.

“I am excited, my daughter’s dream of becoming a loco pilot of Metro Rail has come true,” Preethi’s father R Anbu told PTI.

He explained how his daughter was chasing her dream of becoming a loco pilot after the metro rail project began taking shape.

“She quit her first job, applied for a job in Chennai Metro rail, and she was the first woman to get selected,” he said with joy.

“Three other women joined as pilots after her and I am happy that she was successful,” he said.

Preethi was trained for a year and half like others in Chennai and in Delhi for the purpose.

Meanwhile, the sprawling and swanky Alandur metro station, the biggest in Chennai, was brimming with activity, with enthusiastic passengers eager to board the first train.

“I wanted to board the first metro train, I hope metro makes travel easier and a pleasure,” said K Ramesh a young executive.