Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the full 82 km Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor and India's fastest metro on February 22, 2026, slashing travel time to 55 minutes. He dedicated key sections including Sarai Kale Khan to New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South to Modipuram, boosting NCR connectivity. UP CM Yogi Adityanath joined the event at Shatabdi Nagar station.
Delhi Meerut RRTS Corridor Goes Fully Operational
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the complete Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS corridor today, marking a milestone in India's regional rapid transit network. The 82 km fully operational line connects 16 stations from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh, designed for speeds up to 180 km/h operational at 160 km/h. This semi-high-speed system integrates metro-like features with rail efficiency, easing congestion on NH-9 and promoting sustainable transport in the National Capital Region.
Key Infrastructure Highlights
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Delhi to Meerut journey reduced to 55 minutes from over 2 hours by road.
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82.15 km corridor fully dedicated, including 5 km Delhi section and 21 km Meerut extension.
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Namo Bharat trains feature premium coaches, reclining seats, charging points, food vending, and women-only sections.
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Meerut Metro integrated, with PM Modi riding from Shatabdi Nagar to Meerut South, interacting with students.
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Projects worth ₹12,930 crore inaugurated, enhancing industrial growth and reducing NCR carbon emissions.
Impact On NCR Connectivity And Economy
The RRTS corridor transforms daily commutes for millions in Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Delhi suburbs, fostering real estate and business hubs along stations like Duhai and Begumpur. It supports Make in India by linking to semiconductor units near Jewar Airport. Over 1 crore passengers already used partial sections, signaling high adoption. Environmentally, it cuts road traffic, lowering pollution in India's most populous region. Future expansions promise similar high-speed links across NCR.
Sources: Hindustan Times, DD News, NDTV, India Today, Economic Times