INDIA: At 13.00 on September 3, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off a ceremonial train from Udyog Bhawan station to celebrate the completion of Delhi metro Line 2 between Central Secretariat and Qutub Minar. The line opened to the public at 15.00.

This final section of Line 2 is 12·5 km long and has nine intermediate stations, all underground. The inauguration completes construction of the network’s longest line, which runs for 45 km from Jahangirpuri in the north to HUDA city centre in the south. The line has 34 stations, 20 of which are underground and the remaining 14 elevated.

DMRC plans to run 40 trains at 3 min intervals during peak hours. Around 600 000 passengers are expected to use the line daily.