Noida, November 12
Flagging off the first Metro train from Noida, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said the train had catapulted Noida to one of the best developed cities of the country. Metro rail service will prove to be a boon for the public, the Chief Minister said.

After taking over as the Chief Minister, Mayawati had instructed the authorities to get the city linked with Delhi through Metro. The state government was committed to place Noida and Greater Noida among the top Indian cities, providing best of infrastructure for quick development, the CM said, adding that she would see to it that Metro was extended to Greater Noida and Javer, where the state government plans to build an airport.

Mayawati said another important project that would be completed soon was the 165-km-long Yamuna Expressway connecting Delhi and Noida with Agra from the eastern banks of Yamuna. Since this expressway would directly link the Capital with Agra, it will prove a boon for the tourism industry. A Dadri-Mumbai industrial corridor was also being planned that would directly link the industrial hub with Mumbai port.

BSP supremo stated that the Noida authorities had paid two-third of the total cost (Rs 557 crore) to Delhi Metro. She lauded the Noida authorities and Delhi Metro team for having completed the project expeditiously.