Inaugurating the new Shahdara-Dilshad Garden line of the Delhi Metro on Tuesday, Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy acknowledged that the metro railway was an example of public transport worth emulating. Citing the example of the United States where private transport is encouraged, Mr. Reddy said in the face of global challenges like increasing fuel rates and climate change, modes of transport like the metro should be encouraged. He said even though the US economy permitted its people to rely on private rather than public transport, the idea was not sustainable. "The US maybe able to afford it financially, but mother earth cannot afford it," he said. Describing the metro as a "beacon to the other institutions in the country", Mr. Reddy said this mode of public transport had changed the face of the city and earned the approval of every visiting dignitary. "It is not just the pride of Delhi, but of the country. All those who come visiting from Western countries, including their Ministers, routinely visit the metro and praise it. People from the Western countries tell me that your metro is better than ours," the Minister said. Appreciating the efforts of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director E. Sreedharan under whose stewardship the metro has been able to beat its own deadlines, Mr. Reddy described him as an "urban legend". He said the rapid progress that the metro was making within the city would soon pave the way for it making inroads into the neighbouring States that are considered part of the National Capital Region. "Delhi has blazed a trail. Every State wants it (metro) ...soon Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata will have it," he said. The Minister also had a word of advice for the DMRC. Referring to the paucity of space for parking vehicles at metro stations, he suggested that the DMRC explore multi-level parking. "Having multi-level parking at stations will help people in making the shift from private vehicles to public transport. Also, there is a need to develop a multimodal transport system where buses, the metro, the mono rail will all be connected." "The DMRC may have to look at innovative practices like a common ticket for the metro and buses to make it more functional. Delhi will then be known for its grand metro system." Chief Minister Sheila-. Dikshit, who was also present on the occasion, said the extension of the metro up to the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border would spell a boon for thousands of commuters between the two States. "Extension of the line till Dilshad Garden is the first step towards changing the face of the eastern part of the city," she added. The metro, she said, would ease the global problem of road congestion and shrinking space for vehicular movement by encouraging more people to leave their private vehicles and opt for public transport. Dr. Sreedharan said like the Dilshad Garden-Shahdara line which was inaugurated six months ahead of schedule, the DMRC was attempting to accomplish most of its work before the commencement of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He said the DMRC was attempting to finish the Jehangirpuri-Vishwavidya-laya line also ahead of target. "We are trying to advance the date of completion of the line by six months, the deadline for this line is October 2009." The Dilshad Garden-Shahdara line, which will open to the public from Wednesday morning, is the first metro line of DMRC's second phase of construction. Comprising three elevated stations at Mansarovar Park, Jhilmil and Dilshad Garden, it extends the operational Line-1 by 3.1 km and is close to Delhi's border with UP. With the commissioning of the new line, Line-1 is now 25.1-km-long from Rithala to Dilshad Garden with 21 stations. The total metro network now stands at over 68.2 km and 62 stations. For the benefit of nearby colonies, the DMRC will provide connectivity to the new stations with its GPS-enabled feeder buses. The buses will operate on the routes covering Davanand Hospital, G.T.B. Hospital, G.T.B. Corner Pocket P, Deer Park, Pummy Sweet, J&K Pocket, Shahdara Border. According to DMRC officials, the opening of the new line has no implications on the fare structure as the minimum fare continues to be Rs.6 and the maximum Rs.22.