In pictures: Delhi Metro

Curious and excited customers thronged stations in Delhi for a ride on the new commuter rail system which opened to the public on Wednesday.

BBC News Online brings you some pictures of the day's events:

People responded enthusiastically to the city's first metro rail

Hundreds swamped the stations for a ride on the new trains

Many had difficulty trying to work out the sophisticated system

Officials struggled to control the impatient crowd and had to briefly shut a station

Prime Minister Vajpayee (2nd from the right) was the first privileged traveller on Tuesday

Officials say the pressure will ease once the system is fully operational