Namo Bharat corridor: How fast will the train run between Delhi and Meerut?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the full 82-km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor on Sunday, February 22. The launch will mark the completion of India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System between Delhi and Meerut.

At around 12.30 pm, the Prime Minister will flag off the Namo Bharat train and Meerut Metro at Shatabdi Nagar station in Meerut. He will travel by Metro to Meerut South and later dedicate development projects worth about ₹12,930 crore. He is also scheduled to address a public gathering.

With the inauguration, the entire 82.15-km corridor between Delhi and Modipuram in Meerut will become operational. This includes the 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and the 21-km stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.

Four new stations to open

Four stations — Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram in Meerut — will be commissioned on Sunday. Jangpura station will be constructed later.

The corridor is already operational on a 55-km section from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, covering 11 stations. In total, the route includes around 16 major stations such as Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Muradnagar, Modinagar South and Modinagar North.

Sarai Kale Khan will act as a major multi-modal hub, connecting with Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and bus services. It will also serve as the convergence point for three RRTS corridors — Delhi–Panipat–Karnal, Delhi–SNB–Alwar and Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut — allowing passengers to travel between corridors without changing trains once completed.

The total project cost is ₹30,274 crore. The corridor is being executed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation. The foundation stone was laid on March 8, 2019, and the first operational stretch opened on October 20, 2023.

Trial run covers 82 km in 40 minutes

Ahead of Sunday’s launch, a full trial run was conducted on Friday.

The train departed from Sarai Kale Khan at noon and covered 82 km in 40 minutes without any stops, reaching a top speed of 159 kmph. The train has a design speed of 180 kmph and a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph.

It crossed New Ashok Nagar within four minutes and later entered an underground section near Anand Vihar, where it passes below the Delhi Metro’s Pink and Blue lines and the Anand Vihar railway station.

After emerging at Sahibabad, it briefly touched 160 kmph between Sahibabad and Duhai. The train then moved through Meerut, entering underground sections at Begumpul before reaching Modipuram at 12.39 pm.

Once fully operational, passengers will be able to travel between Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut in about 55 minutes.

Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram will also begin on the same infrastructure. With a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph, the Metro will cover the stretch in 30 minutes with all scheduled stops.

After completion of other planned corridors, Delhi’s mass transit network, including Delhi Metro, is expected to extend to 743 km.