Namo Bharat Project Hits Key Milestone As Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Enters Underground Trials

Rapid rail trains entered underground sections for the first time during trial runs on the final stretch to Meerut, marking a significant milestone for India’s first semi-high-speed urban transit system. These trials, which began on Thursday, also marked the first time trains covered the entire Meerut section, including its underground segments, as the project stays on course for full commissioning by mid-year, spanning from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Shatabdi Nagar in Meerut.  

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"This is a watershed moment in implementing the country's first Namo Bharat, with trains now running on the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor," said an official from NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is executing the project.

The trials cover both the New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan corridor and the extended stretch from Meerut South to Modipuram, passing through Shatabdi Nagar and Begumpul.

The Meerut section features the corridor's first underground station, Meerut Central, located near Football Chowk. This is complemented by two more underground stations, Bhaisali and Begumpul, forming a triangular network beneath the city.

"While Begumpul will accommodate both rapid rail and Meerut metro services, Bhaisali and Meerut Central will exclusively serve metro passengers," the official added.

The corridor emerges from underground near Tank Chowk in Begumpul, transitioning to an elevated track that runs through MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North, and Modipuram stations. Of these, only Modipuram will serve rapid rail passengers, while the remaining stations are designated exclusively for metro services.

Trials are also underway between Meerut South and Meerut Central stations along the metro corridor, further advancing preparations for full operational readiness. "This will be the country's first integration of local metro operations with regional rapid transit infrastructure," the official said.

The 23-kilometre Meerut metro corridor will feature 18 kilometres of elevated tracks and 5 kilometres underground, serving a total of 13 stations, three of which are located below ground.

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The integrated network will feature Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram as key transit hubs, providing both rapid rail and Meerut Metro services. These stations are being developed into comprehensive mobility centres with smooth connectivity to multiple modes of transport.

At present, rapid rail trains run along a 55 km stretch from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, covering 11 stations. Once the full 82 km corridor is completed later this year, passengers will be able to travel between Delhi and Meerut in just 55 min.