Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the latest phase of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor linking Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. With the inauguration of the Delhi section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, Meerut city is now directly connected to Delhi and commuters can reach Meerut South in just 40 minutes.
The section connecting Meerut South and Sahibabad is already operational. The newly opened section connects Delhi's New Ashok Nagar station to Uttar Pradesh's Sahibabad, which covers 13 km distance. This also includes a 6 km underground section, where the major hub of Anand Vihar station is also located. Anand Vihar links the Blue and Pink Lines of the Delhi Metro as well as the railway station and the bus terminal.
During the inauguration of the Rs 4,600 crore project, Modi travelled on one of the trains from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar, which covers a distance of 55 km.
This is going to further boost trade and tourism between both the cities. Currently, a 42-km stretch of the corridor between Sahibabad and Meerut South, featuring nine stations, is operational. With this inauguration, the operational stretch of the Namo Bharat Corridor expands to 55 km, with a total of 11 stations. The Prime Minister took a ride on the Namo Bharat Train from the Sahibabd Station to the newly opened New Ashok Nagar Station.
During his ride on the Namo Bharat train, PM Modi purchased a smart ticket, interacted with passengers, and engaged with schoolchildren who recited poems and presented sketches to him. He also viewed an exhibition detailing the construction of the train network, where he received a model of the train from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). He was also presented with an overview of NCRTC’s cutting-edge Asset Management System, which highlights its role in ensuring operational efficiency and infrastructure sustainability.
The corridor will connect Sahibabad RRTS station to New Ashok Nagar RRTS station, including two RRTS stations at Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar.
Demonstrating the ease and accessibility of digital payments integrated into public transport services, the Prime Minister purchased an NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) using the UPI payment system. He then boarded the Namo Bharat train from Sahibabad and de-boarded at the New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat Station.
During the journey, the Prime Minister interacted with various set travelers, showcasing the diverse social impact of the corridor. Women beneficiaries of NCRTCs vocational training program, supported by the JFPR (Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific) grant, shared their inspiring journeys of employment. Engineering students discussed their aspirations and the corridors technological advancements, while school students showcased their creativity through artwork, poetry, and songs inspired by the project. Women trained in self-defense through the JFPR grant narrated how the training boosted their confidence and sense of security. Regular commuters shared their experiences of how the Namo Bharat trains have transformed their daily lives. The Prime Minister also interacted with women train operators and station controllers, commending their pivotal roles in operations.
The newly inaugurated section connecting Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar is now operational. With this addition, Namo Bharat trains will arrive in Delhi, reducing travel time between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South to under 40 minutes and significantly enhancing regional connectivity. Of the newly inaugurated 13 km section, 6 km is underground and includes a prominent station on the corridor, Anand Vihar.
This marks the first time that Namo Bharat Trains will operate in an underground section. The other station on this stretch is an elevated station at New Ashok Nagar. Both stations are located in Delhi. Stations that will be operational are New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar (the only underground station of the corridor for now), Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modinagar South, Modinagar North and Meerut South.
To date, Namo Bharat trains have served over 50 lakh commuters, highlighting their popularity and impact. Further construction in other sections i.e. New Ashok Nagar-Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South-Modipuram are progressing at a rapid pace.
