Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train at Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat Station in Meerut, and dedicated the 82 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation, a move the government says will transform regional connectivity and urban mobility in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Modi also inaugurated the remaining sections of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS): a 5 km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and a 21 km stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. He later rode the metro to Meerut South Station and spoke with passengers and students onboard.
The Namo Bharat system is designed for speeds up to 180 kmph and is expected to sharply reduce travel times between Delhi and nearby urban centres including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut. Sarai Kale Khan, the corridor’s originating station, has been developed as a major multimodal hub linking Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and Ring Road.
Three additional stations in Meerut-Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram-were also commissioned as part of the rollout. In an unprecedented arrangement for India, Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram will operate on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat RRTS, enabling both regional rapid transit and urban metro services to share tracks.
Officials said the integrated operation sets a new benchmark for multimodal public transport. The Meerut Metro’s maximum operational speed is around 120 kmph, making it the country’s fastest metro system, and the stretch is expected to be covered in about 30 minutes with all scheduled stops.
Authorities expect the combined projects to decongest roads, cut vehicular emissions and provide faster, more sustainable mobility across the region. The initiatives form part of the government’s broader push to modernise public transport and improve ease of living through efficient, environmentally sustainable infrastructure.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister was scheduled to inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth Rs 12,930 crore and to address a public rally. — IANS
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/02/22/pm-modi-flags-off-meerut-metro-namo-bharat-train-in-ups-shatabdi-nagar-station/
Category: NATIONAL
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-22 17:30:00
