Union Minister Manohar Lal & Delhi CM Rekha Gupta lead 31st DMRC Foundation Day celebrations with Focus on Urban Mobility & Innovation

New Delhi, 03 MAY 2025– The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) celebrated its 31st Foundation Day today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in the presence of key dignitaries and stakeholders. The event was graced by Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, as the Chief Guest, and Delhi’s Chief Minister, Ms. Rekha Gupta, as the Guest of Honour. Both leaders reflected on the pivotal role the Metro has played in transforming urban mobility in the capital.

In his address, Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that accessible, safe, and reliable transport is a basic right of every citizen. He highlighted the significance of the Metro in daily urban life and presented a futuristic idea—adding dedicated cargo compartments to Metro trains. This move, he said, would significantly benefit small businesses, vendors, and hawkers by offering them a quick, cost-effective, and eco-friendly means to transport goods within the city. He also underlined the importance of adopting green energy solutions in Metro operations, aligning with India’s broader vision for sustainable urban development. With nearly 50% of India’s population expected to reside in urban areas by 2047, he stressed the urgency of enhancing infrastructure today.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also spoke on the occasion, applauding DMRC’s role in not just providing efficient transport but also influencing public behavior positively. She noted that the Delhi Metro has become more than just a mode of transport—it has earned the trust and admiration of the people through cleanliness, rule adherence, and consistent service.

As part of the celebration, several awards were presented to recognize outstanding contributions by DMRC personnel. Ms. Preeti was named Metro Woman of the Year, while Shri Suresh Pawar received the Metro Man of the Year award. Karol Bagh Metro Station and Kalindi Kunj Depot were honored as the best station and depot respectively. The Rajbhasha Puruskar was awarded to Ms. Anjali for her excellence in promoting the official language, and the Metro Adventure Club (MAC) was given a special award for its role in team-building and staff engagement.

Also present at the event were Shri Katikithala Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Chairman of DMRC; Shri Dharmendra, Chief Secretary, GNCTD; and Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC. The event served as a moment of reflection on DMRC’s remarkable journey and a reaffirmation of its commitment to providing safe, inclusive, and future-ready transport solutions for Delhi and its surrounding regions.