PM lays foundation stone of Mumbai Metro

The ceremony, held at Vikhroli in northeast Mumbai, signals the start of Phase I of the project.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday laid the foundation of the ambitious Rs 19,500-crore Mumbai Metro Rail Project, which authorities hope will help ease traffic flow within the metropolis.

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The ceremony, held at Vikhroli in northeast Mumbai, signals the start of Phase I of the Mass rapid Transit System (MRTS). The launching of the project is seen as a step towards making Mumbai a world-class financial hub.

Singh was accompanied by state Governor SM Krishna, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADAG) Chairman Anil Ambani and Mumbai Metropolitan Commissioner T Chandrashekhar at the ceremony.

Union Ministers Sharad Pawar, Jaipal Reddy and Murli Deora and Ambani's mother Kokilaben, were also present on the occasion.