gurgaon

Updated: May 07, 2017 09:29 IST

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated Phase 2 of the Rapid Metro line on Tuesday. The roughly 7-km line between Sikandarpur metro station and the Sector 55/56 metro station had been opened to the public on a trial basis on March 31. The line has five metro stations — DLF Phase 1, Sector 42/43, Sector 53/54, Sector 54 Chowk and Sector 55/56.

Phases 1 and 2 of the rapid metro span 11 stations over a total distance of 11.7km. The second phase of the metro line will cater to people living and working along Golf Course Road and in sectors 42, 43, 53, 54, 55, 56 and DLF Phase 1. Its timings are aligned with the Delhi Metro and it is open to commuters from 6am to 12.36am.

Despite giving a brief inaugural speech, the CM did not say anything about plans for Phase 3 of the metro system that will reportedly connect Sohna with Sector 55/56 metro station.

The first phase, catering largely to Cyber City, was opened to the public on November 2013, while commercial operations of the second phase began on March 31, 2017. It was inaugurated by Rajiv Banga, MD and CEO of Infrastructure leasing and financial services (IL&FS).

Announcing the launch of an app on Tuesday, Banga said, “In our commitment to provide continued convenient services, we are launching a rapid metro app to bring us closer to our commuters.”

The CM said the rapid metro would provide relief to commuters. “Gurugram is a world-class city with rapid development in terms of roads, highways and metros. The government has proposed a huge road and rail transport network in the city,” he said.

“We have proposed to develop Gurugram railway station as a terminal for trains in the western part of the country. We are continuously following the development works underway on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway to decongest traffic and ensure smoother commuting,” he added.

After his speech, the CM and a group of slum children took a ride on the metro, accompanied by mediapersons, officials of the Haryana government and locals. The coach was driven by a woman driver, Gayatri Singh. The station controller for the day at the last station was also a woman, Priya Sachan.

Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSPCR), Jyoti Bainda, said the commission had arranged for the metro ride for the 30 children.

“I hope they enjoyed the ride with the chief minister as a part of the inaugural ceremony. It is a great moment for them,” Bainda said.