Delhi–Meerut travel to become faster: How Namo Bharat, India’s fastest Metro, will improve inter-city travel

Namo Bharat trains during a trial run at Sarai Kale Khan

• PM Modi inaugurates India's fastest Metro and Namo Bharat train
• Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat now offer seamless high-speed travel
• Projects target faster travel, less congestion, and lower emissions

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India’s rail and Metro infrastructure just got an upgrade as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s fastest Metro and Namo Bharat train in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut on Sunday.

Accompanied by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, PM Modi inaugurated the remaining portions of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from the Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat station. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present.

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi LG VK Saxena arrive at Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat Metro Station.

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate the remaining sections of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). These include the 5 km section… pic.twitter.com/S1cq0R0DCR — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026

PM Modi also inaugurated the Meerut Metro service between Meerut South and Modipuram. Following the inauguration, he also took a ride in the Metro to Meerut South station and interacted with passengers and fellow students.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and launched various development projects worth around Rs 12,930 crore. Addressing a public gathering after the inaugration, PM Modi said, " For the first time today, from the same platform, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Metro Service are being inaugurated on the same day. This is a splendid glimpse of what the connectivity of a Viksit Bharat will be like. Today's program also reflects the work culture of the double-engine government of the BJP. "

Stating that modern trains like Namo Bharat will accelerate the Metro vision within the city and between twin cities, PM Modi said before 2014, Metro expansion was very slow and the Congress government operated Metros in only five cities.

“Over the past 11 years, Metro services have reached dozens of cities because the BJP government aims to provide citizens with convenient high-speed, and pollution-free transport facilities," he said.

Since its launch in October 2023 and the phased opening of the 82km Delhi–Meerut corridor, the Namo Bharat system has already enhanced transportation in the region, enabling many to remain in Meerut and parts of Ghaziabad while pursuing careers in Delhi and Noida. With the entire corridor now becoming operational, we take a look at the features of the two facilities and how they will further improve connectivity.

First-of-its-kind initiative

Firstly, in a first-of-its-kind move for the country, the Meerut Metro will run on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat corridor, creating a seamless integration that enables fast and efficient high-speed intercity travel. It is also expected to help decongest road traffic and significantly reduce vehicular carbon dioxide emissions.

Speed

Designed for a top speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 160 kmph, Namo Bharat is India’s first regional rapid transit system intended to transform high-speed intercity travel. It will provide faster regional connectivity, linking Delhi with major urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut.

Meerut Metro will be India’s fastest Metro system, with a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph.

Connecting key centres

According to a report in The Times of India, Sarai Kale Khan is one of the four Namo Bharat stations and marks the start of the corridor. It has been strategically developed as a major multi-modal hub, offering seamless connectivity with Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and Ring Road. The remaining three stations—Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram—are situated in Meerut.

Features

The Meerut Metro service will run on a 21km corridor with 12 stations. The air-conditioned three-coach trains feature modern are energy-efficient, equipped with regenerative braking systems, and compatible with Automatic Train Protection and Automatic Train Operation technologies. Facilities also include luggage racks, CCTV cameras and USB charging ports.

Travel time

The Meerut Metro will cover the 21km Meerut South–Modipuram corridor in about 30 minutes, including all scheduled halts. Meanwhile, the Delhi-Meerut RRTS Namo Bharat will cut travel time between the two cities to less than an hour.

Who will benefit?

The inauguration of the Namo Bharat RRTS will boost daily life across the NCR by sharply reducing travel time between Meerut, Ghaziabad and Delhi. Improved connectivity will allow professionals to live farther from the capital while continuing to work in major urban hubs. Students, entrepreneurs and families are also set to benefit from easier travel for education, business and personal needs.

Moreover, the projects are also aimed at easing road congestion and reducing vehicular carbon dioxide emissions, in line with the PM’s focus on modern, seamless and sustainable public transport systems to improve ease of living.