The Delhi–Meerut RRTS, spanning 82 km, is being developed at a cost of over Rs 30,000 crore. Currently, a 55-km stretch of the corridor is already operational, with 11 stations connecting New Ashok Nagar in Delhi to the Meerut South station.

Trial runs and final civil and systems works are progressing on the remaining 4.5 km stretch in Delhi (between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar) and the final 23 km in Meerut (between Meerut South and Modipuram).

NCRTC has completed a successful timetable trial run of Namo Bharat trains across the entire 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut corridor. The trains reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut from over three hours to just one.

“The project marks a transformative step in India’s urban transport landscape,” said Mio Oka, ADB Country Director for India on Wednesday. “It not only enhances mobility but also promotes inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and is expected to serve as a model for future regional rapid transit systems across India and the Asia-Pacific region.”

Delhi-Meerut is the first of several RRTS lines planned to connect parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). The Delhi-Alwar Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor that stretches from Sarai Kale Khan to Shahjahanpur–Neemrana–Behror, via Gurgaon and extends for 106 km, is set to get the green light from the Cabinet soon, Union Power and Housing Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said last month.