New Delhi [India], Dec 31 (ANI): Expressing pride over Japan's continued participation in the Delhi Metro project, the country's ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu on Monday said that Japanese expertise would spur urban development initiatives in India.

He further stated that Japan would continue to extend its support to various Metro projects including Phase 4 of Delhi Metro. The ambassador underscored that the Japanese government is supporting other metro projects in various Indian cities, such as the Chennai Metro.

Speaking after the inauguration of Pink Line's Lajpat Nagar to Mayur Vihar Pocket 1 stretch, Hiramatsu said: "Japan is proud of partnering in the construction of the Delhi Metro, technically and financially, from its very beginning. The support of the Japanese government covers the construction of about 116 km section out of a total of 159 km of the Delhi Metro Phase 3, utilising Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan."

"Last October, during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Japan, I signed and exchanged the notes relating to the provision of an additional ODA loan, amounting to JPY 53.7 billion, approximately Rs 3,500 crore, for the Delhi Metro Phase 3. We have disbursed JPY 276.8 billion, or approximately Rs 18,000 crores so far for the project," he further noted.

Hiramatsu said that Japan's involvement in the metro project in India denotes the mutually complementary and friendly relations existing between New Delhi and Tokyo.

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