New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) The Delhi Metro has achieved another feat. The mass transport system has in the seven years of its existence ferried one billion passengers, which is virtually India’s population.
“The Delhi Metro achieved a historic milestone when it crossed the one billion mark for the passengers who have travelled by the Metro since it became operational, which is almost equivalent to the population of the country,” Delhi Metro Spokesman Anuj Dayal said Friday.

The Delhi Metro began its journey Dec 25, 2002 on a small stretch of 8.5 km from Shahadara to Tis Hazari. At that time, about 35,000 passengers were using it daily. Now, with the network touching nearly 90 km, spanning three lines, the average daily ridership has touched 900,000 on an average.

“With the massive expansion in the last seven years, the number of people who have availed Delhi Metro services touched a record 1,014,955,894 Thursday,” Dayal added.

Also, the Delhi Metro recorded its highest daily ridership during the India International Trade Fair (IITF) this year with the figure reaching 1.02 million Nov 24.