Union Minister Tokhan Sahu Honours Anil Marwah for Unique Delhi Metro Tradition

  • March 12, 2026, 2:11 p.m.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu felicitated Anil Marwah, a long-time enthusiast of the Delhi Metro, for maintaining a unique personal tradition of riding the first train on the opening day of every newly inaugurated Delhi Metro corridor.

The felicitation ceremony was held in New Delhi in the presence of Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

24 Years of Riding the First Metro Train

For the past 24 consecutive years, Marwah has continued this distinctive practice, making him one of the most dedicated followers of the Delhi Metro’s journey since it began operations on December 24, 2002.

Recalling his first ride, Marwah said the launch of the Delhi Metro marked a major turning point in India’s urban transportation system, significantly improving connectivity across the national capital.

He noted that the metro network has helped reduce the challenges associated with road-based commuting and has made travel faster and more reliable for millions of people.

Metro Has Transformed Urban Mobility

Marwah also highlighted that the punctuality and convenience of metro services have reduced travel-related stress for commuters, making the Delhi Metro one of the most dependable public transport systems in the country.

Appreciating his dedication, Union Minister Tokhan Sahu said stories like Marwah’s reflect the strong connection citizens have developed with the Delhi Metro.

He described the metro network as a transformative urban mobility solution and a symbol of India’s growing infrastructure capabilities.

Vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The minister recalled that the Delhi Metro project was initiated during the tenure of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He said Vajpayee’s vision laid the foundation for modern metro systems in India, which have since expanded rapidly across the country.

Metro Expansion Across India

Highlighting the growth of metro rail systems, Sahu said India now has the third-largest metro network in the world, with over 1,143 kilometres of metro lines operational and around 936 kilometres under construction across 29 cities.

He added that metro services were available in only five cities in 2014, while today nearly 11.5 million passengers use metro systems daily.

Sahu said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, metro networks across the country are expanding rapidly and becoming cleaner, safer and more reliable.

Public Transport Key to Sustainable Cities

The minister also emphasised the importance of increasing the use of public transport to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and build more sustainable urban environments.

During the interaction, officials noted that the development of metro rail systems represents a “silent revolution” in India’s urban landscape, contributing not only to better mobility but also to social changes such as improved civic discipline, enhanced safety for women and easier access to education and employment opportunities.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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