The highly anticipated Delhi section of the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) was inaugurated on Sunday (January 5) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the event in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi visited the Sahibabad RRTS station today morning and took a ride on the Namo Bharat train from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar station, PTI reported.
The newly inaugurated 13-kilometer stretch connects Sahibabad in Ghaziabad to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi via Anand Vihar. With this, the extended RRTS corridor will span 54 kilometers with 11 stations, significantly reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour.
The operational Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) was previously running between Sahibabad and Meerut. With this new extension, two stations in Delhi — New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar — joined the corridor. Further expansions are slated for April and May 2025, with the opening of Sarai Kale Khan and Jangpura stations.
All about new RRTS stations
New Ashok Nagar station features seamless connectivity to the New Ashok Nagar Metro station via a 100-meter foot overbridge. Additional footbridges are being constructed to connect nearby areas such as Chilla Village and Mayur Vihar Extension, improving accessibility. Anand Vihar station, the first underground stop on the RRTS line, is set to become a key transit hub, connecting to the Pink and Blue Metro lines, Anand Vihar railway station, and inter-state bus terminals.
Designed to handle heavy foot traffic, Anand Vihar station is equipped with three lifts, five escalators, and two entry/exit gates. Currently, the RRTS corridor features nine operational stations, including Sahibabad and Meerut South. With these new additions, the total number of stations will increase to 11, further bolstering connectivity across the region.
RRTS trial and current operations
The Namo Bharat RRTS trial runs on this stretch began in October 2024, and the necessary certifications from the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) were recently acquired.
The Namo Bharat trains operate on a 42-kilometer stretch from Sahibabad to Meerut South, covering nine stations, including Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai. The extension to New Ashok Nagar marks a significant milestone in the development of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.