Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System

The Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (Delhi–Meerut RRTS), branded as Namo Bharat, is India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail corridor under construction and partial operation. It connects the national capital Delhi with Ghaziabad and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. The project is being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture of the Government of India and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Overview

The corridor aims to reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under one hour, for daily commuters. The RRTS system is designed for speeds up to 180 km/h, with an operational speed of 160 km/h, making it one of the fastest regional transit networks in India. The total length of the corridor is 82.15 kilometres, featuring 25 stations, including 13 within the Meerut Metro section.

History

The Delhi–Meerut corridor was one of the three priority RRTS corridors identified for implementation in the first phase of the National Capital Region Transport Plan. The project received final approval from the Union Cabinet in 2019 with an estimated cost of ₹30,274 crore. Construction began in March 2019, with the first section between Sahibabad and Duhai inaugurated on 20 October 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Route

The corridor starts from Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station in Delhi and passes through key areas of Ghaziabad and Meerut before terminating at Modipuram RRTS metro station. Major stations include:

• Sarai Kale Khan
• Anand Vihar
• Sahibabad
• Duhai
• Muradnagar
• Modinagar (North and South)
• Meerut South
• Meerut Central metro station
• Begumpul RRTS metro station
• Modipuram RRTS metro station

The corridor features both elevated and underground sections, with double-decker viaducts in Meerut where the RRTS and Meerut Metro share infrastructure.

Technology and design

• **Train type:** Namo Bharat trainsets, built by Alstom India under the Make in India initiative.
• **Speed:** Design speed – 180 km/h; operational speed – 160 km/h.
• **Signalling:** European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 hybrid signalling.
• **Power supply:** 25 kV AC overhead catenary.
• **Safety:** Platform screen doors at stations, CCTV monitoring, and automatic train protection systems.

Operations

The first operational section, covering 17 km between Sahibabad and Duhai, began commercial service in 2024. The stretch between Duhai and Modinagar North opened in 2024. Trains operate under the brand name **Namo Bharat**, offering reserved seating, Wi-Fi, and women’s coaches.

Benefits

The RRTS corridor aims to:

• Reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut from over two hours to under 60 minutes
• Decongest roads and highways connecting Delhi and Meerut
• Promote economic growth in satellite cities such as Ghaziabad and Meerut
• Provide an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly public transport alternative

Stations

Future plans

The Delhi–Meerut corridor is the first of eight proposed RRTS corridors in the National Capital Region. Future corridors will connect Delhi with Alwar, Panipat, and other regional centres. The experience from the Delhi–Meerut project will serve as a model for upcoming RRTS lines across India.

See also

• Meerut Metro
• National Capital Region Transport Corporation
• Modipuram RRTS metro station
• Delhi–Alwar Regional Rapid Transit System
• Delhi–Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System

References