2 rapid rail corridors near approval: Manohar Lal

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday that the proposal for two new rapid rail corridors starting from Sarai Kale Khan is expected to be approved soon, emphasising that this expansion will enhance the high-speed transit network in the National Capital Region. 

Speaking at the inauguration of the Sarai Kale Khan station on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), Khattar said the proposed corridors would significantly enhance regional connectivity and reduce travel time between Delhi and neighbouring states.

“One corridor is planned from Sarai Kale Khan to Karnal in Haryana, covering a distance of around 125-130 km, which can be completed in about one-and-a-half hours,” the minister said. Another route is proposed to connect Sarai Kale Khan with Babarpur in Haryana and Neemrana in Rajasthan, he added.

The Sarai Kale Khan station, inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Meerut, will serve as a major interchange for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS and future rapid rail corridors.

Khattar described the station as a key hub that would anchor the next phase of NCR transport planning.

The minister said the expansion of rapid rail and metro networks was essential as Delhi grows into a major economic centre, placing heavy pressure on its roads and public transport systems.

He underlined the need for transit-oriented development, with housing and commercial spaces planned around metro and rapid rail stations to reduce dependence on road travel.

Khattar also stressed the importance of last-mile connectivity to ensure smooth movement between stations, homes, offices and markets. “Improving transport and housing together is the only way to ease congestion in Delhi,” he said.

Referring to the broader NCR plan, the minister said fast rail links would help distribute population and economic activity across districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, easing the burden on the Capital.

He highlighted the rapid expansion of metro rail in the country and said that operational metro networks now span over 1,100 km across 24 cities, compared to just 248 km in five cities a little over a decade ago.

Daily metro ridership in Delhi alone has risen to around 1.25 crore passengers, he said.

According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), Namo Bharat services on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor have been extended on both ends.

Services will now operate from New Ashok Nagar in Delhi up to Sarai Kale Khan, and from Meerut South to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh, it stated.

The NCRTC said that the Namo Bharat trains will be available between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram, covering stations at Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modinagar South, Modinagar North, Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram.

In addition, Meerut Metro services will also commence on the Meerut South-Modipuram section. These services will operate through Meerut South, Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Bramhapuri, Meerut Central, Bhaisali, Begumpul, MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North and Modipuram stations.

Both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro services on the extended sections will begin operations from 6 pm on February 22, the NCRTC added.