It was on October 21, 2023, that the first passenger service on the priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (Delhi-Meerut RRTS) began. On Monday, India’s first RRTS service completed one year of operations and in the last 365 days, it has served more than 40 lakh passengers. This is the first-of-its-kind train service in India connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
“.. Since the launch on October 21, 2023, Namo Bharat trains have significantly transformed commuting across Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, and the surrounding regions, successfully serving over 40 lakh passengers in their first year of operations. Ghaziabad RRTS Station registered the highest footfall over the past year, followed closely by Sahibabad and Modinagar North RRTS Stations,” an official statement from National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) reads.
The 17-km priority section connected Sahibabad to Duhai Depot with stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai on the way.
In March 2024, the service was extended on additional 17 kilometres up to Modinagar. It connected Murad Nagar, Modinagar South, and Modinagar North.
In August, the service entered Meerut with the starting of the Meerut South station.
Earlier this month, a trial run for the service in Delhi also started to connect New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar RRTS station with the already operational Sahibabad station.
On Monday, to mark the one-year anniversary, minister of housing and urban affairs and minister of power Manohar Lal Khattar took a ride on the service and visited key stations along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. He boarded the Namo Bharat train from Sahibabad station — the first operational station from Delhi side.
The minister also visited the under-construction Anand Vihar RRTS station. With its proximity to two Metro lines, a railway station, and two inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) in Delhi and Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, Anand Vihar is set to become one of the region’s busiest transit hubs. The station’s multimodal connectivity facilitates smooth transitions between various modes of transportation, enhancing convenience and accessibility for daily commuters and creating a comprehensive network of networks.
Currently, Namo Bharat services operate on a 42-kilometer stretch covering nine stations — Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, and Meerut South. The corridor will soon extend to 54 kilometres with the addition of the Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar section, which includes key stations of Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar.
High-speed connectivity between suburban areas
RRTS is the first-of-its-kind train service in India. These are not metro trains and are also not regular railway services. While it offers comfort like a metro train, it has the reach of the railways.
The service distinguishes itself from other modes of transport by providing high-speed connectivity between suburban areas, significantly reducing commuting times for longer distances.
This system is especially effective in addressing the challenges posed by urban expansion into new regions, such as the National Capital Region (NCR).
By enabling travellers to cover greater distances in a shorter time frame, RRTS enhances accessibility and convenience, making it an ideal solution for commuters navigating the growing urban landscape.
Once the entire 82-kilometer corridor is completed by June 2025, passengers will be able to travel from Delhi to Meerut in under an hour, revolutionising regional connectivity and enhancing the overall commuter experience.
Comments
0 comment