Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has declared that he will not drive again to Yashobhoomi after experiencing the convenience of the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line. The National Conference leader took the metro to attend the South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange 2025 tourism promotion event and later shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing the efficiency and environmental benefits of the metro.
“Today I took the Delhi Metro Airport Express to get to Yashobhoomi for the South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange 2025 tourism promotion event. Twenty-five minutes in the train beats one and a half hours in the car hands down and saves fuel and emissions. I am not driving to Yashobhoomi again,” Omar Abdullah wrote.
This is not the first time Omar Abdullah has praised the metro. In 2018, following his first ride on the Airport Express, he described it as a “world-class piece of infrastructure” and “by far the best way to get to Terminal 3.” His renewed appreciation highlights the growing importance of public transport in reducing congestion and carbon emissions in urban areas.
As the guest of honour at the South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange, Omar Abdullah encouraged travelers to explore Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing its diverse offerings for pilgrimage tourism, weddings, adventure sports, and peaceful retreats. He quoted the famous Persian couplet by Amir Khusrau, which is inscribed on the Red Fort, stating, “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here,” in reference to Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks aimed to attract more tourists to the region and boost its tourism-driven economy.
Coinciding with Omar Abdullah’s endorsement of metro travel, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar metro station. The 50-kilowatt solar installation is designed to capture sunlight from both sides, enhancing energy efficiency without occupying additional land. Installed on the metro viaduct, this setup marks a significant step toward sustainable urban transit.
Additionally, a one-megawatt rooftop solar power plant was inaugurated at the Khyber Pass depot, further strengthening Delhi Metro’s commitment to renewable energy solutions. Manohar Lal Khattar emphasized the need to balance technological progress with environmental responsibility, stating, “The path forward is clear: balance progress with environmental responsibility, ensuring a cleaner, healthier world for future generations.”
With leaders like Omar Abdullah advocating for public transport and the government investing in green energy solutions, Delhi Metro continues to play a crucial role in making urban transit more sustainable and efficient.
