Manohar Lal, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, announced that the commissioning of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) networks connecting Delhi to Panipat and Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror-Alwar is expected to begin in 2025. The minister made the comments after driving along the route and inspecting key stations on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, which has served over 4 million passengers since the start of Namo Bharat operations.

During his visit to the Anand Vihar RRTS station, Lal gained insight into the innovative design of the station and its crucial role within the broader Rapid Rail Transit System. Located one level below ground, the strategically designed Anand Vihar station is designed for easy access and seamless integration with various modes of transport, making it a major commuter hub. It is conveniently located near two metro lines, a railway station and two interstate bus terminals in Delhi and Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh.

“Commuters will soon be able to travel distances of 50 to 100 kilometres via RRTS. The first RRTS project, connecting Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut, is progressing with sections already completed,” Lal said. He added that Anand Vihar station is expected to be connected to Sarai Kale Khan next year, providing full facilities to commuters.

Currently in the pilot phase, the RRTS operations at Anand Vihar are expected to commence in December. Regarding the projects at Panipat and the Rajasthan border, Lal said that the formalities will be completed within a month, allowing the tender process for commissioning to continue next year.

The RRTS operations in Anand Vihar are currently in the pilot phase and are expected to begin in December. As for the projects in Panipat and the Rajasthan border, Lal said the formalities will be completed within a month, allowing the tender process for commissioning to continue next year.

Since their introduction on October 21, 2023, Namo Bharat trains have significantly improved commuter traffic in Ghaziabad and surrounding regions, carrying over 4 million passengers in the first year. Ghaziabad RRTS station recorded the highest footfall, followed by Sahibabad and Modinagar North stations.

Lal was also briefed on several groundbreaking technologies being used in the Namo Bharat project, many of which are being implemented for the first time globally, in line with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first 17-km priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot on October 20 last year, with subsequent stretches to be launched by early 2024.

Currently, Namo Bharat services operate on a 42-kilometre stretch with nine stations including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar and Meerut South. Once the entire 82-kilometre corridor is completed by June 2025, passengers will be able to travel from Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour, significantly improving regional connectivity and the overall commuter experience.

Detailed engineering for the project is already underway, with orders for additional equipment, such as cranes and new production lines, to follow. Tata Steel aims to start large-scale work on the site in July 2025, pending planning approval, which will be submitted next month following the completion of public consultations.