Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a crucial 13-kilometer stretch of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) corridor, connecting Sahibabad in Ghaziabad to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi. With this addition, the operational length of the Namo Bharat corridor has expanded to 55 kilometers, comprising 11 strategically located stations. This inauguration marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Namo Bharat trains are operating on an underground section within Delhi.
The ceremony took place at 11 AM, where PM Modi boarded a Namo Bharat train at Sahibabad, traveling to New Ashok Nagar. Demonstrating digital ease, he booked a QR ticket via UPI, underscoring the government’s focus on promoting digital payments. During the journey, the Prime Minister interacted with schoolchildren, sharing insights about the transformative potential of the project and highlighting its role in advancing regional connectivity and ease of living.
Passenger operations on the new section commenced at 5 PM, with trains running every 15 minutes. The fare structure is designed to cater to different passenger preferences, with the journey from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South priced at Rs 150 for standard coaches and Rs 225 for premium coaches. The state-of-the-art system ensures a swift journey from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, reducing travel time to just under 40 minutes—approximately one-third of the time required by road.
The newly inaugurated segment includes a 6-kilometer underground stretch, featuring Anand Vihar station, a major transit hub. Anand Vihar offers seamless interconnectivity with the Blue and Pink Lines of the Delhi Metro, a railway station, and a bus terminal. Similarly, New Ashok Nagar station provides an interchange with the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro, ensuring smooth transitions for passengers between various modes of transport.
This addition to the corridor follows the October 2023 inauguration of the 17-kilometer priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot. With the opening of the Delhi stretch, the corridor now connects the bustling national capital with Meerut, furthering its mission to provide a high-speed, efficient, and sustainable regional transit solution.
The full Namo Bharat corridor spans 82 kilometers from Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut, featuring 16 Namo Bharat stations and nine additional stations for the Meerut Metro. The project aims to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and support economic growth across the region. Once fully operational, the corridor is expected to remove over 100,000 private vehicles from the roads daily, significantly alleviating traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 2.5 lakh tonnes annually.
The Namo Bharat trains have already transported over 5 million passengers, demonstrating their critical role in addressing the mobility needs of commuters. The construction of the remaining sections—New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South to Modipuram—is progressing rapidly, with completion anticipated by June. Upon full completion, the corridor will provide a seamless, end-to-end travel experience for passengers, making it one of the most transformative transit solutions in the country.
In preparation for the event, the Delhi Police implemented extensive traffic restrictions in East Delhi to ensure smooth proceedings. Key roads, including NH-9 and NH-24 from Sarai Kale Khan to UP Gate, and other critical routes such as Ghazipur Road, New Ashok Nagar Metro Station Road, and sections of the Noida Link Road near Akshardham Mandir, experienced controlled traffic flow between 7 AM and 1 PM. Commuters were advised to plan their travel accordingly to minimize disruptions.
The Namo Bharat corridor represents a significant leap forward in India's regional transportation infrastructure, setting new benchmarks for speed, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. By providing an alternative to road-based travel, it not only reduces travel time but also contributes to cleaner, greener urban living. PM Modi's commitment to such transformative projects underscores the government’s vision of a modern, interconnected India where infrastructure plays a pivotal role in driving growth and improving quality of life for all citizens.
