Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president praises Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat project
President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Zou Jiayi and her delegation, on Monday delegation appreciated the wide-ranging economic benefits of the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat project, ensuring polycentric development and its potential to reshape the landscape of an entire metropolitan region, a transformation already being witnessed along the corridor.
The visiting delegation, welcomed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) Managing Director Shalabh Goel, got first-hand experience of the world-class Namo Bharat train when it made a round trip.
The AIIB President commended the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and lauded the inclusive design of both trains and stations. The delegation noted with appreciation the strong focus on passenger comfort.
They also interacted with commuters on board and learnt about their experience of travelling on Namo Bharat and how it has reduced the commute time significantly and enhanced their quality of life. The visit commenced at Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat station, where a comprehensive briefing was made to the President, AIIB, on India’s first Namo Bharat RRTS, outlining the project overview, advanced technologies deployed, and its pioneering initiatives.
Sarai Kale Khan is the originating and one of the largest stations of the corridor. It is also a multi-modal transit hub, providing seamless connectivity with Metro, Railway Station, ISBT, City Bus stand and Ring Road, which delegates experienced first-hand.
She was also informed that all three priority Namo Bharat corridors of Phase 1 will converge at Sarai Kale Khan and will be interoperable.
Following the core principle of MMI, the RRTS stations are being integrated with existing modes of public transport, creating a vast network of networks to ensure seamless movement of commuters between the transit options, in turn to encourage people to leave their private vehicles and use public transport. She was apprised of how Namo Bharat is addressing critical urban mobility challenges such as pollution and congestion, while contributing to a more sustainable urban development over the long term.
During the visit, the delegation undertook a round trip on the Namo Bharat train from Sarai Kale Khan to Anand Vihar stations, experiencing firsthand the commuter-centric features of the trains and the amenities at the stations. At the Anand Vihar Station, they also witnessed on the ground how the efforts of MMI are helping commuters on a daily basis. Jiayi was also apprised of NCRTC’s gender-inclusive operational model and interacted with women train operators and station controllers, who form a significant part of the workforce.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 22 dedicated the entire Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation, marking a transformative new chapter in the country’s urban mobility landscape.
