The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has begun trial runs on a 6 km stretch between Meerut South and Shatabdi Nagar for the Namo Bharat train. This marks a crucial step in India’s first RRTS corridor, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut’s Shatabdi Nagar.
Trial Run Details:
Initially, the Namo Bharat train will be operated manually to ensure civil structure compatibility. As the trials progress, NCRTC will conduct extensive evaluations on:
- Track and signalling integration
- Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) functionality
- Overhead power supply systems
- Overall train performance at high speeds
Meerut Metro & Namo Bharat: A Unique Transit Model:
This section includes Shatabdi Nagar Station for Namo Bharat and two Meerut Metro stations at Partapur and Rithani. Once fully operational, passengers will be able to travel from New Ashok Nagar to Shatabdi Nagar in under 45 minutes—a significant reduction from the usual 61-minute journey.
Shatabdi Nagar is emerging as a key transit hub in Meerut, integrating both the Namo Bharat corridor and the Meerut Metro. This makes Meerut the first city in India where a local metro and RRTS trains share infrastructure.
Construction & Future Plans:
- The Meerut Metro trial runs are also underway between Meerut South and Meerut Central. The 23 km-long metro corridor consists of:
- 18 km elevated & 5 km underground sections
- 13 stations, including three underground
- Meanwhile, major construction progress includes:
- Entry/exit structures nearing completion at Partapur & Rithani
- Platform Screen Doors installed up to Shatabdi Nagar
- Rapid finishing work at underground stations (Meerut Central, Bhaisali, and Begumpul)
Namo Bharat’s Expanding Footprint:
Currently, the Namo Bharat service is operational across 55 km from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, serving eleven stations. The expansion to Shatabdi Nagar will further enhance connectivity, bringing fast, efficient, and seamless travel options for commuters between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
Conclusion:
With the launch of trial runs between Meerut South and Shatabdi Nagar, NCRTC is bringing India’s first RRTS closer to full-scale operation. This expansion will significantly reduce travel time, enhance multi-modal connectivity, and set a new benchmark for integrated urban transit systems, blending speed, efficiency, and convenience for commuters.
Source: NCRTC – Press Release | Image Credit: NCRTC
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