In pictures: Mumbai metro gets on track

Commuters take the Mumbai metro on the first day of its opening. The metro line is expected to carry about 11,00,000 passengers every day, with at least 1,500 passengers per train. Divyakant Solanki / EPA

Children enjoy the ride during the opening of the Mumbai metro line, which has missed deadlines because of lack of right of way, changes in design and lack of approvals from the railways. Divyakant Solanki / EPA

Commuters ride on a train. Metro I will reduce travel time on the 12-kilometre Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor to 21 minutes as against one hour that it takes to cover the stretch by road. Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo

Commuters take the Mumbai metro on the first day of its opening. The metro line is expected to carry about 11,00,000 passengers every day, with at least 1,500 passengers per train. Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo

Each of the colourful rakes with four coaches of the Metro will have a capacity of around 375 commuters or around 1,500 commuters per service. Divyakant Solanki / EPA

A metro train rides through Mumbai. The first phase of the 11.4 kilometres on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line has a total of 12 stations and is expected to carry about 11,00,000 passengers every day. Divyakant Solanki / EPA

The Indian billionaire Anil Ambani’s Mumbai metro, delayed since 2011 and heading for a dispute with the government over fares, began service on June 8, 2014 as thousands crowded the station to witness Hindu priests offer blessings.