The Delhi metro reached yet another milestone on Friday with the commencement of the much-awaited 12.53 kilometres long underground corridor linking New Delhi with the satellite city of Gurgaon.

The Central Secretariat-Qutub Minar Metro corridor was inaigurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy.

The 12.53 kilometres long underground route, which connects Central Secretariat with the station at Qutab Minar, was thrown open to commuters from today itself.

"Today this metro train is going right from here to Udyog Bhavan and all the way to Gurgaon," said Sheila Dikshit.

"It would be of a great help. No more travelling in crowded bus, ...it is a peaceful journey. It was unexpected we did not know that it will be operationalised so soon. It is the best for senior citizen like us," said Ashok Dey, a passenger.

Comprising of 11 metro stations, the 12.53 kilometres long stretch further connects the already operational 14.47 kilometres section from Qutab Minar to HUDA City in Gurgaon making it a 45 kilometres long rail network connecting north Delhi and south Delhi with Gurgaon.

The entire 45 kilometres long network comprises of both underground and elevated tracks and stations. (ANI)