Passenger Operations to Commence from 5 pm Onwards on 5th January
Yogesh Sharma / New Delhi : Marking a significant leap in India’s regional connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-anticipated 13-km extension of the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor on January 5, 2025. This strategic addition, stretching from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar, will bring Namo Bharat trains into Delhi for the first time, transforming mobility options for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR).
Following the inauguration, passenger services will commence at 5 PM, providing high-speed connectivity between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South. Trains will operate every 15 minutes, with fares set at Rs 150 for standard class and Rs 225 for premium class. This extended corridor reduces travel time by two-thirds, enabling passengers to complete the journey in just 40 minutes.
The Namo Bharat project has already served over 50 lakh commuters, showcasing its popularity and efficiency. Construction on the remaining sections from New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South to Modipuram continues at a brisk pace.
Anand Vihar: A Landmark Underground Station
Of the newly inaugurated section, 6 km runs underground, featuring Anand Vihar—one of the largest and most strategically designed stations on the Namo Bharat corridor. Commuters can travel from here to Meerut South in just 35 minutes.
Anand Vihar station exemplifies multi-modal integration, linking six public transport modes, including:
- Swami Vivekananda (Anand Vihar) and Kaushambi ISBTs
- Pink and Blue lines of the Delhi Metro
- Anand Vihar Railway Station
- A city bus stand
Built only 8 meters below ground, the station demonstrates engineering excellence, as it was constructed beneath the metro’s basement without disrupting operations. Additional infrastructure includes three bridges over the Ghazipur drain—two for vehicular use and one for pedestrians—enhancing connectivity.
New Ashok Nagar: A New Gateway to High-Speed Travel
New Ashok Nagar is the first elevated station on the Delhi section of the corridor. Built 20 meters above an operational metro station, this engineering marvel offers seamless integration with the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro via a 90-meter foot-over-bridge.
The station features two entry-exit points for convenient access from neighborhoods like Mayur Vihar, Vasundhara, and Chilla Village. It also provides parking facilities for over 500 vehicles, promoting last-mile connectivity and reducing congestion.
Passenger-Centric Design and Accessibility
The Namo Bharat project prioritizes passenger convenience, incorporating state-of-the-art amenities:
- Reserved coaches and seats for women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities
- CCTV surveillance for safety
- Dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones
- Wheelchair-friendly ramps and lifts
- Tactile paths for the visually impaired
- Onboard train attendants and emergency panic buttons
A Game-Changer for Sustainable Transport
Namo Bharat aims to decongest NCR roads and reduce pollution. Once fully operational, the corridor is expected to remove over one lakh private vehicles from daily commutes, cutting carbon emissions by 2.5 lakh tonnes annually.
The full 82-km corridor from Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram will include 16 Namo Bharat stations and nine Meerut Metro stations. This transformative project is part of India’s broader push toward sustainable urban transport, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti initiative for integrated infrastructure development.
The inauguration on January 5 marks another step toward realizing India’s vision of efficient, eco-friendly mobility, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting economic growth.
