India's rapid transport system, Delhi Metro, has been awarded with this year's Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Award for its contributions to Indo-Japan ties.

Delhi Metro head Mangu Singh received the award at a function yesterday attended by JICA's chief representative Shinya Ejima and senior representative Hiroshi Suzuki, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Delhi Metro was awarded in recognition of its contribution to the development of human resources, society and economy in India and for enhancing friendly relations and mutual understanding between India and Japan.

The JICA President Award is given to an individual or an organisation associated with JICA and whose contribution in the field of development is of immense significance in a developing society.

Delhi Metro was built with loan assistance from JICA. In the past, the award has mostly been given to Japanese organisations involved in research, social work and medical service.

"This award will go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Japan and will encourage us to cooperate with one other in many such projects in the days to come," Singh said.