Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor: How India’s 1st RRTS could transform travel experience in NCR

Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train (Image: NCRTC)

Here’s how India’s first RRTS could transform travel experience in Delhi-NCR

• Less travel time

At present, travelling about 80-km distance from Delhi to Meerut by road takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. However, once the Namo Bharat begins operations between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram, the journey time will drop to under an hour.

• Faster mobility

The Namo Bharat train features a design speed of 180 kmph, an operational top speed of 160 kmph, and an average speed of around 90 kmph, enabling significantly faster regional connectivity. Thus, with the introduction of the high-speed Namo Bharat train, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time and offer a faster option for daily passengers.

• More comfortable

The Namo Bharat train coaches have transverse 2×2 seats. It also has a Premium Coach (one coach per train) with more spacious, comfortable and reclining seats which is accessible through a special lounge at the platform level.

Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train (Image: NCRTC)

• Interchange facilities with Delhi Metro stations

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor will provide interchange facilities with four stations of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). At present, only 55 km stretch between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South is operational, offering three Metro interchanges – Ghaziabad, Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar.

Once the entire corridor becomes operational, a fourth interchange at Sarai Kale Khan will be added, taking the total number of Delhi Metro connectivity points to four.

• Integrated ticketing system

The passengers of Namo Bharat train travelling from Meerut to Delhi and vice versa can book QR code tickets for both Namo Bharat and Delhi Metro services by using Mobile Apps of either of these systems. In addition, Namo Bharat commuters can also book Indian Railways tickets directly by clicking the IRCTC icon available on the Namo Bharat app.

Similarly, IRCTC passengers, after booking a train ticket with Delhi as their destination, can book Namo Bharat tickets by opening their booking details on the IRCTC Rail Connect app and clicking the NCRTC icon. Thus, one can seamlessly travel in Delhi-NCR.

• Safety

All the Namo Bharat stations are equipped with platform screen doors (PSDs) for enhanced commuter safety. Apart from these, one coach on every train is reserved for women passengers. The Namo Bharat train is equipped with CCTV cameras, fire and smoke detector, fire extinguisher, door indicator and emergency communication facilities, among others.