The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Monday flagged off the trial run on the first section of the Phase III route between Central Secretariat and Mandi House stations, a distance of three km.

 

 The first train for the trial run was flagged off at the Central Secretariat station at 11.27 a.m..

 

 "This section is the fastest section that the DMRC has constructed. Completed within 24 months, I believe this is the fastest construction that has happened in the world. This is probably a world record," said Anuj Dayal, DMRC executive director for corporate communications.

 

 "This section runs from under various important buildings, and also has the deepest curve," he said.

 

 After the trial run for a few months, the Metro line will open for commuters by the end of March 2014, six months ahead of the October 2014 schedule.

 

 Once Phase III is operational, the Delhi Metro network will be 330 km long, said Sudhir Krishna, secretary, ministry of urban development and chairman of DMRC. 

 

 The Phase III stretch of the Metro line extends to 140 km.

 

 This line is expected to decongest the Rajiv Chowk Metro station as commuters on the Badarpur-Central Secratariat line bound for Noida and Vaishali will be able to change trains at the Mandi House station itself.

 

 This section will provide for interchange at the Central Secretariat and Mandi House stations.