During his first official visit to India, ADB President Mr. Masato Kanda toured the Namo Bharat corridor, commending NCRTC’s technological innovations and inclusive growth initiatives. Traveling aboard the regional rail, he interacted with staff, reviewed community programs, and reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with India’s transformative transport goal.
Introduction:
Representing a major stride of Indo-Asian collaboration and sustainable infrastructure development, Mr. Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), visited the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS — India’s first Namo Bharat corridor — on May 29, 2025. This marked a key highlight of his inaugural official trip to India.
Mr. Kanda was warmly received by a senior delegation from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), led by Managing Director Shri Shalabh Goel and other high-ranking officials.
Experiencing India’s First Regional Rapid Transit System:
Mr. Kanda embarked on a journey aboard the Namo Bharat train, traveling from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot Station. During this ride, he was given a firsthand experience of the next-generation semi-high-speed regional rail system, known for its superior commuter experience, comfort, safety, and accessibility features.
He praised the project’s inclusive design—acknowledging the accessibility of the infrastructure for differently-abled individuals—and lauded the integration of cutting-edge technologies that align with international benchmarks.
Mr. Shalabh Goel, MD of NCRTC, highlighted the transformational role of ADB in the project’s realization:
“The partnership with ADB has been of immense benefit to NCRTC in bringing in innovative technologies into the system.”
Reciprocating the sentiment, Mr. Kanda expressed his appreciation for the NCRTC team’s dedication and reaffirmed ADB’s support:
“We are committed to further strengthening ADB’s partnership with NCRTC.”
Community Empowerment Under JFPR Initiative:
At the Duhai Depot, the delegation witnessed NCRTC’s impactful community development programs funded under the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR). These initiatives are aimed at promoting inclusive and equitable development, especially among women and differently-abled individuals.
As part of the event, Mr. Kanda personally distributed assistive aids such as smart canes, wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids to specially-abled beneficiaries. He also awarded certificates to women who had successfully completed vocational and employability training under the JFPR Grant.
Several young women shared their transformational stories after undergoing self-defense and life skills training under the same initiative, showcasing how the corridor is not only improving mobility but also uplifting lives at the grassroots.
These social initiatives reinforce NCRTC’s broader vision of inclusive urban mobility and reflect the project’s alignment with ADB’s core development goals—inclusion, resilience, and gender equity.
Technology at the Heart of Innovation: Visit to ‘Aparimit’:
The delegation then visited ‘Aparimit’, NCRTC’s Centre of Innovation, where officials showcased the digital tools and futuristic technologies used for project execution and capacity building.
Demonstrations included-
- Virtual Reality (VR) for simulation-based training
- Augmented Reality (AR) for interactive maintenance and monitoring
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) for efficient design and construction workflows
These innovations, backed by ADB, have helped NCRTC enhance operational efficiency, streamline training, and set new standards in project management across India’s infrastructure landscape.
Championing Women in Urban Transport:
A key highlight of the visit was Mr. Kanda’s interaction with women train operators and station controllers working on the corridor. Their prominent role in operations exemplifies NCRTC’s gender-inclusive approach, promoting the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of women-led development.
With one of the highest female representation ratios among transit operators, the Namo Bharat corridor sets a strong precedent for equitable workforce participation in the transport sector.
ADB’s Financial and Strategic Support:
The Asian Development Bank is the lead multilateral partner for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, with a significant funding contribution of approximately USD 1 billion. The Namo Bharat corridor is India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail project and a major step towards transforming regional connectivity, curbing congestion, and promoting sustainable urbanization.
Beyond funding, ADB’s involvement has enabled technology transfer, social inclusion frameworks, and capacity building—making this project a model for future infrastructure developments across South Asia.
High-Level Engagements with Indian Leadership:
Apart from the corridor visit, President Kanda’s itinerary includes strategic meetings with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Hon’ble Finance Minister, and the Hon’ble Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. These discussions are expected to further deepen cooperation between India and ADB, especially in the areas of infrastructure financing, climate resilience, and inclusive urban growth.
Conclusion:
President Kanda’s visit to the Namo Bharat corridor not only underscored ADB’s continued commitment to India’s transport transformation but also highlighted NCRTC’s pioneering role in inclusive infrastructure. The experience reaffirmed that technology, community development, and gender equity are central pillars in building resilient and future-ready public transportation systems.
Source: NCRTC – Press Release | Images Credit: NCRTC
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