Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor Fully Operational: Namo Bharat Train Ushers in New Era of Regional Rail Travel
The platform at Sarai Kale Khan station resembled a festive send-off ceremony more than a typical railway stop this past Sunday. Adorned with vibrant marigold garlands, freshly painted surfaces, and staff members lined up holding roses for the inaugural passengers, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. By 6 PM, the first Namo Bharat train to traverse the entire length of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor embarked on its journey to Modipuram, just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the complete stretch.
A Transformative Shift in Urban Mobility
For commuters, this launch represents far more than just a new transportation service—it signifies a pivotal transformation in India's urban travel landscape. Delhi is now demonstrating the immense potential of fast, frequent regional rail networks as metropolitan areas expand outward and daily life increasingly spans multiple districts. Inside the sleek coaches, the mood was overwhelmingly buoyant: families eagerly posed for photographs, strangers exchanged notes on their routes, and nearly every row featured someone capturing the historic moment on camera.
As the train departed, Arvind Singh, a staff member associated with Deutsche Bahn, moved gracefully through the coach with folded hands, offering a rose to each passenger. This simple yet heartfelt gesture perfectly encapsulated the broader sentiment onboard—a palpable mix of relief, pride, and the unique excitement of being part of a groundbreaking first journey.
Commuters Rejoice Over Drastically Reduced Travel Times
Sonal Vihaan, a resident of A to Z Colony in Modipuram, boarded at Sarai Kale Khan with her son Abhiraj. As a government school teacher working in IP Extension, Delhi, she has endured a long-standing commute from Meerut. "Until now, we relied on carpooling. Five of us teachers would depart before 6 AM, yet the journey still took over two hours. I had to wake up at 5 AM just to reach school by 8," she recounted.
For Sonal, the fully operational corridor translates into a manageable daily routine that is significantly less stressful and chaotic. "Now, I can board the 7 AM train and comfortably arrive at school by 8. I was eagerly awaiting the opening of this stretch," she expressed to reporters.
Eighty-five-year-old Jagdish Jain from Jain Nagar in Meerut had traveled to Delhi earlier that day to visit his daughter in Jahangirpuri. "Previously, the car journey between Meerut and Delhi consumed three to four hours. Now, it's merely about an hour—50 minutes to be precise. I can meet my daughter much more frequently," he shared with a smile.
Enhanced Connectivity Bridging Daily Gaps
For Himanshi, recently married, the extension effectively closes a daily logistical gap between her parents' home in Mohan Nagar and her in-laws' residence in Begampul. After visiting her parents, she boarded the train at Sahibabad heading towards Begampul. "I have been anticipating this for an entire year. Earlier, I would disembark at Meerut South and then either call my husband for a pickup or rely on public transport if it grew late. Now, I can travel directly to Begampul and simply take a rickshaw home," she explained.
Some passengers discovered the route upgrade serendipitously during their journey. Vishal and Nirmala boarded at Ghaziabad with their toddler sons, Hardik and Vedansh, initially planning to alight at Meerut South. However, a fellow traveler informed them that trains were now operating further along the corridor.
"We were completely unaware that the full service commenced today. Visiting my sister will now be considerably easier. From Shatabdi Nagar station, my home is conveniently close," Vishal remarked with a laugh.
Phased Development Culminates in Complete 82km Network
This inauguration marks the fifth and final phase of the RRTS corridor to become operational. The initial segment between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot opened in October 2023, followed by a 17-kilometer extension up to Modinagar North. The corridor was further expanded to Meerut South in August 2024. In January of last year, an additional 13-kilometer section between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi was launched. On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the crucial link between New Ashok Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan, thereby completing the entire 82-kilometer jigsaw puzzle of rapid regional connectivity.
Regular commuters also arrived to witness the corridor's completion firsthand. Tarun and Alok, residents of Modinagar, have been traveling between Modinagar and Anand Vihar since operations began in October 2023. On this historic Sunday, they rode the train all the way into Meerut city.
"We simply wanted to explore the Meerut side," Tarun stated, capturing a selfie with Alok. "It genuinely feels complete now."
Deepak Aggarwal, who boarded with his wife from Ashok Nagar bound for Modipuram, summarized the benefits succinctly. "Previously, we disembarked at Meerut South and hired an auto-rickshaw. Today, we chose to travel because the Modipuram section has finally opened. It saves considerable time and eliminates the last-mile hassle," he added.
Celebratory 'Joyrides' from Modipuram Station
At Modipuram station, the evening ambiance mirrored that of a lively fairground—groups arriving without luggage, some specifically for the Namo Bharat experience, others to sample the newly integrated Meerut Metro, which operates across 13 stations within the city. RRTS and metro trains will now run on shared tracks at meticulously scheduled intervals.
Sarita Sharma, from Modipuram's Ansal Courtyard, boarded the 6 PM departure from Modipuram with her family of five. "We are overjoyed that this metro has finally commenced operations. We had been waiting for a year, especially my daughter," she exclaimed. Her daughter Himanshi, a student at SRM University in Modinagar, has been relying on daily bus commutes for the past year.
Other residents opted for the city metro purely for the thrill of speed and simplicity. Rahul, Vansh, and Ravi, all residents of Meerut Cantt, boarded a train towards Vaishali. "We just wanted to experience it firsthand," Rahul commented.
Ravi elaborated, "We traveled from Modipuram to Begampul in merely six minutes. In that same duration, we typically struggle just to kick-start our motorcycle."
Manju Singh, from Modipuram, visited the station with her family of five after observing the elevated line being constructed near their home. "We have witnessed its daily progress. Today, we wanted to be inside it," she said, before boarding a train towards Daurli.
