Although Mr. Sreedharan's name came at the end of the list of dignitaries present on and off stage, KMRL managing director Elias George had to interrupt his address for quite a while to let the applause and cheers of the 3,000-odd audience

'Metroman' E. Sreedharan, the main architect of Kochi Metro, received the loudest cheers from the 3,000-odd audience present to witness the historic moment of the metro's launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Although Mr. Sreedharan's name came at the end of the list of dignitaries present on and off stage, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director Elias George, who welcomed the gathering, had to interrupt his address for quite a while to let the applause and cheers of the audience.

Even as the Prime Minister looked on with interest, Mr. Sreedharan sat without any expression.

The audience was equally jubilant when Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu praised Mr. Sreedharan for the role he had played in the completion of the metro project in record time.

Earlier, after the inaugural ride, the Prime Minister patted Mr. Sreedharan in appreciation.