France's President Jacques Chirac has gone out of his way to ensure Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan was enlisted on his personal quota for one of his country's most prestigious civilian awards, French Ambassador Dominique Girard said on Tuesday.
"I was instrumental here in proposing your name for this decoration to my authorities. But it is the President of the French Republic himself, who, having naturally accepted my proposal, went out of his way to make sure that your good name was put on his personal quota," Girard said while presenting Sreedharan with France's Knight of the Legion Honour.
Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour was originally awarded in France to soldiers for exceptional bravery.
Today, it is one of the most prestigious civilian awards given by the French government.
"This (Metro) project, which would not have been possible without your utmost determination and involvement, has already changed the face of Delhi," the Ambassador remarked.
In his comments, Sreedharan acknowledged the French award as an international recognition of the Delhi Metro project.
Asked about the current state of work at the city rail network, the Delhi Metro chief said he expected the Dwarka-Barakhamba line to be ready in weeks after safety clearance.
