Delhi Metro Rail extended to Dwarka sector-21

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Saturday extended its Metro train services from Dwarka sector-9 to Dwarka sector-21, adding another 2.76km to its network. This 2.76-km stretch consists of two stations at sector-8 and Dwarka sector-21.

The first Metro train for passenger service was flagged off at 6.00am from Dwarka sector-21 Metro station in the presence of senior DMRC officials. With the addition of these two stations on Saturday, the Metro train services at present available on line 3 (from Noida to Dwarka sector 9) and line 4 (from Anand Vihar to Dwarka sector 9) are now extended to Dwarka sector 8 and Dwarka sector 21 Metro stations.

"With this, the DMRC now has a total operational Metro network of approximately 156 kilometres with 132 Metro stations. Commuters will continue to find every alternative train going to Noida and Anand Vihar from Yamuna Bank Metro station," said a spokesperson.

Games all set for opening

New Delhi: About 7,000 men, women and children will dish out a show of India's cultural heritage in a the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony with the icing on the cake being Maestro A R Rahman's performance at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday evening, Oct 3, in New Delhi.
The opening ceremony which is divided into 6 sections: Rhythm of India, Swagatam, Tree of Knowledge, Yoga, Great Indian Journey and AR Rahman's rendition of the CWG anthem "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto" - in the nearly three-hour ceremony.

With most of the tickets already sold out, the ceremony, scheduled from 7 p m, will start with President Pratibha Patil and Britain's Prince Charles expected to declare the Games open in front of a packed stadium of 65,000 capacity.

The 619-member strong Indian contingent will be led by Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra who will carry the Indian flag during the ceremony. Badminton star Saina Nehwal, Beijing Olympic Games bronze medalist boxer Vijender Kumar and wrestler Sushil Kumar will be among the six who will carry the baton during the formal part of the pageant.

Tennis star Sania Mirza will skip the opening ceremony as the Hyederabadi ace has preferred to rest and PT Usha upset at not being invited to Games opening ceremony.

The guest panel will include International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennel, New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Monaco's Prince Albert II and Presidents Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives and Marcus Stephen of Nauru.

Although the country's high-water mark of 221 medals (84 gold, 69 silver and 68 bronze) at the 2006 Melbourne Games is unlikely to be surpassed in India, team officials expect another gold rush.

The sale of the tickets will start with immediate effect through the Central Bank of India and Hero Honda stores, CWG ticketing call center (1800-200-1294) as well as through the official website.