New Delhi, January 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a new 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor on Sunday, January 5, 2025. This stretch, connecting Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar, will bring Namo Bharat trains to Delhi for the first time, marking a significant milestone in high-speed urban mobility.
With this addition, the operational length of the corridor will extend from 42 km to 55 km, encompassing 11 stations. The Namo Bharat trains, already functional on the Sahibabad to Meerut South segment, will now serve commuters between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South, reducing travel time to just under 40 minutes. Starting at 5 PM on January 5, the trains will run at 15-minute intervals. The fare for the journey from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South is set at ₹150 for standard coaches and ₹225 for premium coaches.
This development establishes a direct connection between Meerut and Delhi, promising to cut travel time by one-third and enhance the commuting experience for passengers. The corridor has already proven popular, with over 50 lakh commuters using the service to date. Construction on the remaining sections, including New Ashok Nagar-Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South-Modipuram, is advancing rapidly.
The newly inaugurated section includes a 6-km underground stretch featuring the Anand Vihar station, one of the largest on the corridor. This marks the first underground operation for Namo Bharat trains. Anand Vihar station is a hub of multi-modal integration, connecting six existing public transport modes: two interstate bus terminals (ISBTs) at Swami Vivekananda (Anand Vihar) and Kaushambi, two Delhi Metro lines (Pink and Blue), Anand Vihar Railway Station, and the City Bus Stand. Passengers can now travel from Anand Vihar to Meerut South in just 35 minutes.
The elevated New Ashok Nagar station is the first operational station in Delhi for the Namo Bharat corridor. The station, situated 20 meters above the New Ashok Nagar metro station, demonstrates a remarkable engineering achievement. Construction was completed without disrupting metro services, and the station is connected to the Blue Line of Delhi Metro via a 90-meter foot-over bridge (FOB).
The Namo Bharat project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan, prioritizing seamless and sustainable travel. Stations are designed to integrate with existing transport networks, including bus, metro, and railway services, encouraging a shift toward public transportation. Despite technical and engineering challenges, the project has prioritized commuter convenience and safety, offering facilities such as free drinking water, washrooms, and 24/7 CCTV surveillance. Special attention has been given to accessibility for diverse passenger demographics, including the elderly, children, disabled, and women.
The inauguration of this section signifies a leap forward in public transportation, reinforcing the vision of modern, efficient, and inclusive urban mobility.
