Delhi-Meerut RRTS Trial Runs Near Completion, Operations Likely To Begin By January 2025

Trial runs on the segment extending to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi are nearing completion.The Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), branded as "Namo Bharat," may commence operations from Delhi as early as January 2025, according to officials from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

The modern transit system is set to redefine regional travel with state-of-the-art features, including onboard Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, emergency communication systems, and advanced fire detection capabilities.

Stretching over 82.15 km from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor is India's first regional rail service. Built by the NCRTC, the network will include 25 stations and two depots, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, with completion anticipated by 2025.

The service is designed to carry around 800,000 passengers daily at full capacity — a number comparable to Hamburg's S-Bahn. With a travel speed of 160 kmph, it is the fastest regional rail system in India. Trial runs on the segment extending to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi are nearing completion.

Currently, a 42-kilometre section between Sahibabad and Meerut South, covering nine stations — Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, and Meerut South — is operational.

NCRTC plans to seek certification from the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), the final regulatory step before operations begin. Puneet Vats, NCRTC spokesperson, highlighted that test runs between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar are progressing smoothly, and the segment could open by New Year, reports Financial Express.

The line aims to improve connectivity across the National Capital Region (NCR) and integrate seamlessly with the Delhi Metro, railway stations, and inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs).

To ensure flawless operations, NCRTC is conducting extensive evaluations of trains, tracks, signalling systems, platform screen doors, and power supply infrastructure. High-speed trials are also scheduled in the coming months to validate performance and reliability.