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One small trip for PM, a big-ticket moment for all

Author: Rumu Banerjee, TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 6, 2015
URL:   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/One-small-trip-for-PM-a-big-ticket-moment-for-all/articleshow/48849128.cms

On Sunday, officials behind the ticket counter at Janpath Metro station were taken aback by an unusual commuter: the Prime Minister. Narendra Modi's 50-minute journey was a lesson in affability as his security detail kept only the benches opposite the PM empty, letting commuters interact with him.

 The PM was originally scheduled to take a helicopter to the Civil Court Grounds of Faridabad where he was to flag off the down train. Instead, he boarded the Metro.

Accompanied by DMRC chief Mangu Singh, the PM obliged youngsters with selfies, chatted with women "thrilled" to meet him, and generally passed the time like any other commuter. Those travelling with Modi said he took out a few minutes for everyone. "The first to approach him was a very excited young woman from Mumbai. Another young lady—who is preparing for the civil services exams —asked the PM to pose for a picture with her," said a Delhi Metro official. Youngsters came and took selfies while others touched his feet. "When he wasn't interacting with people, the PM spent his time reading," added the official.

 "The PM, his officials and the Special Protection Group bought tickets like regular passengers. They got off at Bata Chowk," said DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal. Incidentally, the line was operational only till Badarpur at that point as the PM was yet to inaugurate the Faridabad corridor. He did this at a rally on HUDA Grounds in Sector 12.

On the way back, Modi decided to travel by Metro again and got off at Central Secretariat. This time, it wasn't just commuters who cheered him on. Many who had seen the PM's journey on TV could be seen waving from rooftops.

    
The inauguration of this section of the Metro network is expected to change the way people travel from Faridabad. The corridor, 13.8km from Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar, will connect the NCR town with Delhi in half the time. The corridor will be extended to Ballabhgarh by 2017.
 
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