Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
Ghaziabad: Rapid rail trains ventured underground for the first time during trial runs on the final section to Meerut, keeping India’s first semi-high speed urban transit system on track for mid-year commissioning of its entire length from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Shatabdi Nagar in Meerut. The trials, which started on Thursday, also marked the first instance of trains traversing the entire Meerut section, including its subterranean passages.
“This is a watershed moment in implementing the country’s first Namo Bharat, with trains now running on the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor,” said an official from NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is executing the project. The trials encompass both the New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan section and the extended Meerut South to Modipuram stretch via Shatabdi Nagar and Begumpul.
The Meerut section includes the corridor’s first underground station at Meerut Central, which is situated near Football Chowk. Two additional underground stations — Bhaisali and Begumpul — complete the subterranean triangle.
“While Begumpul will accommodate both rapid rail and Meerut metro services, Bhaisali and Meerut Central will exclusively serve metro passengers,” the official added.
The corridor will resurface near Tank Chowk in Begumpul, continuing on an elevated track through MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North, and Modipuram stations. Among these, only Modipuram will offer rapid rail services, with others dedicated to metro operations solely.
Trials are also progressing between Meerut South and Meerut Central stations of the metro route. “This will be the country’s first integration of local metro operations with regional rapid transit infrastructure,” the official said.
The 23km Meerut metro corridor will have 18km of elevated tracks and 5km underground, serving 13 stations, including three below ground.
The integrated network will include Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram as major transit hubs, offering both rapid rail and Meerut metro services. These stations are being developed as comprehensive mobility centres with seamless connections to various modes of transport.
Currently, rapid rail trains operate along a 55km stretch from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, serving 11 stations. When the entire 82km corridor is ready later this year, passengers will enjoy a swift 55-minute journey between Delhi and Meerut.
Mayank Rawat
