Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated the use of public transport to save on fuel and costs associated with the import of petroleum. Launching a 12-km stretch of Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line from Noida on Monay, he said governments incur a lot of cost in creating infrastructure but when it is ready it benefits generations to come

Urging people to use public transport, he said travelling on a metro train should be a “prestige issue”

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, CM Yogi Adityanath and host of other senior officials were present at the occasion, with the two taking metro ride with the Prime Minister.

By 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, we want to cut down on imported petroleum products, he said in a gathering.

The Prime Minister also said a multi-modal transportation system will ensure that use of fuel is cut down, which will help the common man save money and also be useful for the environment

On December 24, 2002 then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ride on the metro, Modi recalled. “It was a historic moment. Since then, the Metro network in NCR has expanded considerably,” he said

We live in an era in which connectivity is all important, the prime minister said

“Without connectivity, life comes to a standstill. This Metro… is not only for the present but also for future generations,” he said

There was need to change the mindset so that people prefer using public transport than their private vehicles.

(With inputs from PTI)