Dwarka resident Heena Jha was pleasantly surprised when she got a call from the Delhi Metro railway informing her that she will be felicitated at a function organised to mark its tenth anniversary. Little had she known that her smart card usage was among the “top ten” and she would receive a medal for having spent Rs.15,000 over the last several months travelling to and from work on a transport system that has become synonymous with the Capital.
“I used to travel between Dwarka Mor and Noida City Centre and now I travel to HUDA City Centre everyday,” says Heena, explaining her transport expenses.
On Thursday, she shared the stage with others like Dr. Vinod Chitkara who regularly commutes between Rohini and Pul Bangash. “From the Metro station I can walk to work so it is very convenient,” he said, adding that the Metro has transformed the way people commute in the city.
The top ten smart card users of the Delhi Metro were felicitated after a working model of a Metro train was unveiled at the Metro Museum at Patel Chowk station.
The model, which is about 20 feet in length and designed meticulously to give visitors the real feel, was inaugurated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director Mangu Singh.
“I really appreciate the effort that has gone into making the working model of the metro train. We plan to add more features to the model,” said Mr. Singh. “Our aim was to have a bigger museum outside somewhere but this is very commuter-friendly and we will continue to add items to this museum,” he added.
He also unveiled new souvenir items for sale such as visiting card holders, key chains and paper weights. “We are also looking to expand our museum at a different location.”
On January 1, 2009, the Metro Museum, first of its kind in South Asia, was presented as a New Year gift to the people of Delhi and has since been a treasure trove of panels, historic photos and exhibits about the Metro.
