Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS): Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday virtually dedicated Rajasthan's first underground Metro line to the public through video conference.

On the occasion, the CM congratulated the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation and the DMRC for completing the underground Metro line by keeping the heritage look of the walled city intact. He also spoke to Shefali, the operator of the state's first underground Metro train.

The Metro line under Phase 1-B will cover a distance of 2.12 km from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar.

Addressing the programme, Gehlot said the Metro line between Chandpole and Badi Chaupar will ease travel for the tourists in the city besides reducing the pressure on road traffic.

The Chief Minister said that the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on September 21, 2013 laid the foundation for the Metro Phase 1-B and at that time it was expected that this phase will be completed in two-and-a-half years. However, the pace of work slowed down with the change in government in the state.

"Our government is looking at profit or loss in running the Metro, because it is the social responsibility of the government to provide cheap and easy transport service to the people," Gehlot said.

The Chief Minister also thanked the Union Urban Development Ministry for its cooperation in completing the project.

Jaipur Metro Chairman and Managing Director Bhaskar A. Sanwant said that the project was completed without making any kind of change in the heritage of the city.

An Art Gallery has been built at the Choti Chaupar Metro Station to conserve the important artefacts. An ultramodern tunnel ventilator system has been installed in this underground line.

The project was completed at a cost of Rs 1,126 crore.