New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) The Delhi Metro’s Noida link was officially flagged off Thursday and will be open to the public Friday.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy flagged off the Yamuna Bank to Noida City Centre Metro corridor from the Akshardham metro station.

“It is the first time that Delhi metro is entering another state and it is a great honour for DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation),” said Dikshit after inaugurating the Noida section.

The decision to open the section was taken after Metro Railway Safety Commissioner R.K. Kardam gave the safety clearance.

The DMRC estimates that 53,000 passengers will be added to its daily commuters after the Noida corridor opens.

Last month the DMRC said it wanted to open the section ahead of the India International Trade Fair, which begins in New Delhi Nov 14.

The Noida Metro corridor could bring about a drastic change in the travelling habits of thousands of people in trans-Yamuna areas — Mayur Vihar and Ashok Nagar in east Delhi and Noida — and is likely to ease traffic on the Noida Highway as well as at the ITO junction.

The Yamuna Bank-Noida City Centre Metro is an elevated stretch and has 10 stations.

It will be integrated with the operational Yamuna Bank to Dwarka Sector-9 segment.