Daijiworld Media Network - Meerut
Meerut, Feb 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat train from Shatabdi Nagar station, marking a major boost to high-speed intercity and intra-city connectivity in the National Capital Region.
The Prime Minister also undertook a metro ride from Shatabdi Nagar to Meerut South station. He is scheduled to inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth around Rs 12,930 crore to the nation and address a public gathering, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Modi dedicated to the nation the entire 82-km Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor and inaugurated the remaining sections of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). These include the 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and the 21-km section between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
Designed for a top speed of 180 kmph, Namo Bharat is India’s first regional rapid transit system. It will connect key urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut with Delhi, significantly reducing travel time.
Sarai Kale Khan, the originating station of the corridor, has been developed as a major multi-modal hub, linking Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, the Delhi Metro Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and the Ring Road. Three additional Namo Bharat stations — Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram — were also commissioned in Meerut.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram, which will operate on the same infrastructure as Namo Bharat. With a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph, the Meerut Metro is set to become India’s fastest metro system, covering the entire stretch in about 30 minutes, including scheduled halts.
The integrated Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro network is expected to decongest road traffic, reduce vehicular carbon dioxide emissions and set a benchmark for seamless urban and regional transit systems in the country.
The projects, the statement said, align with the Prime Minister’s vision of modern, efficient and sustainable public transport aimed at enhancing ease of living for citizens.