PM Modi Launches Full Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor in Major Infrastructure Push
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the entire Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor in Uttar Pradesh today, February 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The ceremony took place at the Rally Ground in Mohiuddinpur, Meerut, as officially announced by the Government of Uttar Pradesh on social media platform X. This event marks a significant milestone in regional connectivity for the National Capital Region (NCR), transforming transportation infrastructure in western Uttar Pradesh.
Complete Operationalization of High-Speed Corridor
The much-anticipated launch makes the full 82-kilometer high-speed corridor operational, dramatically reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut. Once inaugurated, Namo Bharat trains will run seamlessly from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut, covering 82.15 kilometers in approximately 55 minutes. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Meerut Metro, developed as part of an integrated transit system within the city.
The official post on X, translated to English, stated: "Under the guidance of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji, Uttar Pradesh is witnessing unprecedented momentum in modern transport infrastructure. Through enhanced connectivity, rapid urban mobility, and balanced regional development, the state is setting new benchmarks for progress."
The post further elaborated: "With the inauguration of the Namo Bharat stretch from Sarai Kale Khan to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the Namo Bharat stretch from Meerut South to Modipuram, the entire Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor will be dedicated to the nation. Additionally, the Meerut Metro service from Meerut South to Modipuram will also be launched, strengthening regional connectivity in a new way."
Project Details and Economic Impact
With today's inauguration, the remaining stretches—including the New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan segment in Delhi and the Meerut South to Modipuram section—have opened for passenger service. The corridor comprises approximately 70 kilometers of elevated track and 12 kilometers underground, built at an estimated cost exceeding INR 30,000 crore.
This ambitious project is expected to transform commuting patterns between Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, with the fare for the full journey estimated at around INR 213, calculated at approximately INR 2.60 per kilometer. Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of the Rapid Rail project on March 8, 2019, with the 17-kilometer priority section inaugurated in October 2023 and subsequent extensions gradually bringing the corridor to completion.
Meerut Metro: A Technological Marvel
Alongside the regional rapid transit system, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Meerut Metro, which runs between Meerut South and Modipuram, spanning about 23 kilometers with 13 stations. Remarkably, Meerut Metro will be the fastest metro rail in the country, achieving a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
The train consists of three coaches with a seating capacity of 173 people and a total capacity of 700 commuters. The Meerut Metro project features an integrated ticketing system that enables commuters to travel on both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro using the same ticket. This unique system, where both metro rails operate on the same infrastructure, makes Meerut one of the few cities globally with such an advanced setup.
Focus on Accessibility and Modernization
The Meerut Metro has been designed with modern amenities to ensure passenger safety and comfort, including:
- Push-button doors and emergency alarms
- Platform screen doors for enhanced safety
- Seats reserved for women and senior citizens in each coach
- Stations equipped with spaces marked for stretchers and wheelchairs
- Elevators to provide easy access for senior citizens traveling to Delhi for medical assistance
This development is expected to make traveling from Meerut to Delhi significantly easier for working professionals and businesses, with travel time under an hour likely to reduce highway congestion and increase regional productivity. The metro system in Meerut is also anticipated to boost overall mobility in the area, supporting economic activities and expanding investment opportunities.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh emphasized that this project "will boost fast, safe, and environment-friendly urban transport, infusing new momentum into economic activities" while providing "a solid foundation to the resolve of Viksit Bharat–Viksit Uttar Pradesh, establishing new dimensions of regional development."
