The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil laid the foundation stone of the extension programme of the Metro Rail from Joka to BBD Bagh in Kolkata today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in a city, a Metro Rail is an effective system of travel, giving the people a convenient, comfortable and an affordable mode of travel. The President said that as the urban population has been increasing, the metro service will substantially reduce the pressure on other modes of transport. The President underlined the need for timely completion of the project and execution of it in a manner that does not disrupt the normal life. Addressing the gathering, the Union Finance Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said that the extension of metro railway in Kolkata will be carried out in four phases with an estimated cost of 12 thousand crore rupees. Mr. Mukherjee informed that the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure headed by the Prime Minister has already cleared all these expansion programmes of the Kolkata metro. Railway Minister, Mamata Bannerjee said that extension of the Metro Rail will bring Kolkata closer to North and South 24 Pargana districts of West Bengal. She said that Railway will not forcefully acquire land for this project.