By Rashmi Goyal

Transport in Delhi has undergone significant development in recent years. Visitors can look forward to air conditioned trains and buses, computerized tickets, dial-a-cab services along with the usual taxis, auto-rickshaws, the substantial Delhi bus network, cycle rickshaws.

The fairly new Metro train network in Delhi is modern, speedy and convenient.  Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system built and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC). The network consists of six lines with a total length of 156 km (97 miles) along side 132 stations. It has both elevated ground level and underground lines.

Running from and to the Metro are the Metro RTV feeder buses which bear the same silver color as Metro trains and have the Metro logo on them. In fact, the DMRC was the first railway project in the world to be registered at the UN under the clean development mechanism (CDM) scheme, enabling it to earn carbon credits.

21st century Delhi is a bustling ultra modern metropolis with swanky Malls, huge department stores, chic boutiques, endless bazaars and classy up markets to satisfy the unending appetite of shopping buffs. Most of the important and popular shopping centers of Delhi like Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, Janpath, Chandni Chowk and Nai Sarak, Lajpatnagar, South Extension , Sarojini Nagar, Munirka, Vasant Kunj  are either located just outside a metro station or have one nearby, usually within walking distance.

Delhi has been rightly denoted as Mini India- where the ancient and modern coexist in perfect synthesis. The city is known for its rich heritage of medieval Mughal monuments. Some of the most famous spots of Delhi are: the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Humayuns Tomb, Purana Quila, Humayun’s Tomb and Raj Ghat. Modern structures are the Rashtrapati Bhavan and its Mughal Gardens, Rajpath Avenue down to India Gate, the wondrous Lotus Temple and the grand Akshardham Temple. Most of these sites are off a Delhi metro station or very nearby. There are any number of food joints and restaurants serving both Indian and foreign cuisines. Delhi also has vibrant nightlife with discos, pubs and clubs spread across the city.

Hotels in Delhi are known for world class service and facilities. There are thousands of hotels to chose from – a majority are located on the Karol Bagh -  Connaught Place axis which has about a dozen metro stations on it.  An interesting tit bit – can a pillar be your address? Looks like that is what is happening for so many people residing close to the elevated Metro tracks who have started using the Metro pillar numbers as a landmark to find their house or office and even on the hotel visiting cards!