The Botanical Garden (Noida) to Kalkaji (Delhi) metro line is all set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25.
Accompanying the Prime Minister will be Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath. The event has been scheduled in Noida, where the PM and UP CM will flag off the first train from Botanical Garden, also the first interchange station in NCR.
However, inauguration ceremony does not include the name of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal on the list of VIP invitees. The to-be inaugurated stretch of 12.64 kilometers concludes in the national capital. This section is a part of longer 38.23 kilometer sprawling over an elaborate land area in Delhi.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is a 50:50 venture between the Urban Development ministry and the concerned state government. So, while the Noida route received funds from Uttar Pradesh government, an extensive percentage was disposed from Delhi government for the route beyond.
Even if Delhi government is not required to directly send funds for an extended line, there is an equal partnership with center in DMRC for human resources, technical equipments and other logistics.Officials of DMRC evaded any direct response to questions pertaining to inviting the Delhi CM. The ambiguity hinted that likely Kejriwal would not be present at the inauguration ceremony.Delhi government sources, meanwhile, confirmed that CM has no intimation of the upcoming event.A top source in the Chief Minister's Office told India Today, the priority for our government is safe and reasonable travel for commuters. It is for the Urban Development ministry and UP government to answer why Delhi CM was not sent an invitation.In fact, Yogi Adityanath arrives in Noida on Saturday afternoon, two days before the flag-off ceremony. A review meeting is scheduled with officials of the DMRC and the government ahead of December 25 event.An interaction with journalists is expected post the review meeting. CM Adityanath will then depart to Lucknow and return on Monday.This is not the first time Delhi Chief Minister has been kept out of inaugural ceremonies of new metro lines.