Rapid Rail Expansion: New RRTS Lines To Connect Delhi With Panipat And Alwar By 2025

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced that two key Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) networks—connecting Delhi to Panipat and Delhi to Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror and Alwar—are expected to be operational by next year.

The minister made the announcement during a visit to key stations along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, marking one year since the launch of the Namo Bharat services.

His visit began at the Anand Vihar RRTS station, where he was briefed on the station’s unique design and its integration with other modes of transport. Anand Vihar is a critical hub for commuters, situated near two metro lines, a railway station, and two inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) in Delhi and Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh. Currently in its trial phase, full operations at Anand Vihar are expected by December.

During the visit, Minister Lal shared updates on the progress of the first RRTS project between Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut. A portion of the project has already been completed, and full connectivity between Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar is anticipated by next year.

He also provided updates on the upcoming RRTS projects to Panipat and Rajasthan, stating that necessary formalities will be completed within a month, after which the tendering process will begin. Both projects are slated to launch next year, reports The New Indian Express.

The minister also interacted with women train operators at the Sahibabad station, lauding their contributions to India’s first RRTS corridor. The Namo Bharat services, launched in October 2023, have transformed regional travel in areas like Ghaziabad and Sahibabad, serving over 40 lakh passengers in just one year. The network's development aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, incorporating advanced technologies.

The RRTS, India's first Regional Rail Service, offers a unique rail-based commuter service for regional transit in the National Capital Region. The corridor spans 82.15 km from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, making it the country's inaugural RRTS.

Currently, the RRTS operates along a 42-kilometre stretch, covering nine stations. The network will soon expand to 54 kilometres with the addition of the Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar section, which includes the Anand Vihar station.

The full corridor is set to be completed by June 2025, enabling passengers to travel from Delhi to Meerut in under an hour, revolutionising regional connectivity and enhancing the commuter experience.