Meerut: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train from Shatabdi Nagar station, marking a major milestone in enhancing high-speed regional and urban connectivity.
The prime minister also travelled by metro from Shatabdi Nagar to Meerut South station after inaugurating the services. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, he dedicated development projects worth around ₹12,930 crore to the nation and addressed a public gathering during the visit.
With the inauguration, the entire 82-kilometre Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor has now been dedicated to the country. The newly opened sections include a 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and a 21-km segment between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
Designed for a top speed of 180 kmph, Namo Bharat is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), aimed at connecting major urban hubs such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut with Delhi through faster and more efficient transit.
Sarai Kale Khan station, the originating point of the corridor, is being developed as a key multi-modal transport hub, linking Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and the Ring Road. In Meerut, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram stations have also been commissioned as part of the project.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the prime minister also inaugurated the Meerut Metro service operating on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat corridor. The Meerut Metro, with a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph, is set to become the fastest metro system in the country. It will cover the full stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram in approximately 30 minutes, including all scheduled stops.
Officials said the integrated model of running both regional rapid and metro services on shared infrastructure is expected to significantly improve connectivity, ease congestion on roads and reduce vehicular carbon emissions.
The projects are aligned with the government’s broader push to modernise urban mobility and promote efficient, sustainable public transport systems aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens.
