Delhi–Meerut RRTS Sees 1.25 Cr Riders Even Before Full Route Opens
With NH-58 heavily restricted during the Kanwar Yatra, the RRTS has emerged as a vital transport lifeline, offering commuters a reliable alternative
India's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), known as the Namo Bharat, has crossed the milestone of 1.25 crore passenger rides, even before the entire 82-km Delhi–Meerut corridor becomes fully operational. Currently, the high-speed service is running on a 55-km stretch, covering 11 stations between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Meerut South in Meerut.
The train operation on the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor began in October 2023 with the 17-km priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot. The corridor expanded further in 2024, adding more stations and increasing frequency.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) on Tuesday said that the Namo Bharat service is fast emerging as the preferred and reliable mode of transit for commuters across the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.
'Offering a safe, fast, and convenient travel experience in every season, be it summer, winter, monsoon, or spring, Namo Bharat is steadily gaining the trust of passengers seeking efficient regional connectivity," the agency building the corridor said.
The NCRTC said that before the operations of Namo Bharat services up to Meerut South station last year, travelling between Delhi and Meerut, especially during the Kanwar Yatra and monsoon season, posed significant challenges.
With NH-58 heavily restricted during the Kanwar Yatra, the RRTS has emerged as a vital transport lifeline, offering commuters a reliable alternative.
'With the commencement of this modern transit system, commuters now have a dependable alternative. This growing confidence is reflected in the consistent increase in ridership, recently crossing the milestone of 1.25 crore rides," it said.
While road commuters face delays and diversions, Namo Bharat commuters are reaching their destinations smoothly and on time, the NCRTC added.
The milestone is notable, considering the corridor served just 40 lakh riders in its first year, by October 2024, reaching 50 lakh by December 2024, before doubling in the following months.
It was on October 21, 2023, that the first passenger service on the priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (Delhi-Meerut RRTS) began. This is the first-of-its-kind train service in India connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
Last month, News18 reported that the entire 82-km section of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS will soon be connected with trains after a successful trial on the route.
The full-length timetable trial run of Namo Bharat trains was held between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram. The journey took less than 60 minutes. This marks a significant operational milestone in the implementation of India's first Namo Bharat corridor, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It is expected to drastically cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour.
view comments
First Published:
July 15, 2025, 20:45 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
RJ Mahvash And Yuzvendra Chahal Caught On Camera In London; Viral Video Fuels Dating Rumours
A viral video of RJ Mahvash and Yuzvendra Chahal in London reignites dating rumours. Fans spot the duo vacationing together amid their ongoing romance buzz. Yuzvendra Chahal and RJ Mahvash have once again sent the internet into a frenzy. While both have repeatedly denied being in a relationship, calling each other 'just friends," fans are reading between the lines — and this time, they might just be onto something. The buzz began when Mahvash and the Indian cricketer posted pictures from London with strikingly similar backdrops. Now, a video of the two walking together through the streets of the British capital has gone viral. Shot by a travel blogger, @travelshotsbyanna, the clip shows the duo strolling side by side, appearing at ease and clearly enjoying each other's company. This visual confirmation has only added fuel to the ongoing dating rumours. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anna (@travelshotsbyanna) Earlier in the day, Mahvash shared a playful Instagram story featuring Chahal. 'Finally had a shoot with bina fake accent wale Hindustani chehre in UK," she wrote, poking fun in her signature witty style. She also recounted a light moment from the shoot: 'A random boy literally came to Yuzi and asked, 'What's your skincare routine haahnn?' Yuzi wahan beith ke sharma raha hai usse." Her post sparked laughter — and more speculation. Interestingly, Chahal appeared to drop a major hint about his relationship status during a recent episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix. While sharing the couch with Rishabh Pant and Gautam Gambhir, he was asked by Kiku Sharda about the girl everyone's been talking about. With a smirk, Chahal responded, 'India jaan chuka hai, 4 mahine pehle," — a line that fans took as a not-so-subtle confirmation that Mahvash is indeed the one. Speculation around the two started making waves shortly after Chahal's marriage with choreographer Dhanashree Verma began facing turbulence. Since then, Mahvash has been spotted frequently at IPL 2025 matches, supporting Chahal's team, Punjab Kings. Not only was she present in the stands, but insiders claim she also stayed close to the team and bonded with players' families — behavior far beyond what one might expect from a casual friend. Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma officially finalized their divorce on March 20 this year, and ever since, whispers of a growing closeness between Chahal and Mahvash have only gotten louder. While the two continue to dodge direct questions, their actions — whether it's joint vacations, Instagram shout-outs, or cheeky on-air confirmations — seem to be telling their own story. For now, fans will keep watching (and decoding) every post, every glance, and every viral video. First Published: July 19, 2025, 22:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
At Least 34 Killed, Children Among Tourists Missing As Boat Capsizes In Vietnam's Ha Long Bay
The vessel was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members when it capsized in the UNESCO World Heritage site because of sudden heavy rain At least 34 people have died and several others, including children, are missing after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay on Saturday. The accident occurred during a sudden storm that hit the popular UNESCO World Heritage site, state media reported. The boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members when it overturned due to heavy rain and strong winds. Most of those on board were families visiting from Hanoi, with more than 20 children among the passengers, according to VNExpress. Authorities confirmed that border guards had rescued 11 people and recovered 34 bodies from the water. Search and rescue operations are continuing to locate at least eight people still missing. 'The sky turned dark at around 2 pm, followed by hailstones as big as toes with torrential rain, thunderstorm and lightning," a local office worker in Ha Long Bay, Tran Trong Hung, told news agency AFP. A 10-year-old boy, one of the survivors, shared his terrifying experience with state media outlet VietnamNet. 'I took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived, then swam up. I even shouted for help, then I was pulled up by a boat with soldiers," he said. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered both defence and public security forces to speed up rescue operations. He also called for an investigation into the cause of the incident and promised strict action against any violations. Heavy rain also battered parts of northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh provinces, toppling trees and disrupting daily life. The sudden storm followed several days of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 37°C in some regions. Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, said the storm was not linked to Tropical Storm Wipha in the South China Sea, confirming that the thunderstorms were local in nature. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most visited tourist spots, known for its emerald waters and limestone islands. The region sees millions of visitors every year. In 2023, over 30 vessels sank in the same coastal province during Typhoon Yagi, raising concerns about safety protocols in extreme weather. (With inputs from AFP) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
10 hours ago
- News18
Tourist boat capsizes during thunderstorm in Vietnam, leaving 34 dead
Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Jul 19 (AP) A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 34 people, state media reported. Eight others remain missing. The Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members — all of them Vietnamese — during the tour of Ha Long Bay, a popular destination for visitors, according to the reports. Rescue workers saved 11 people, and recovered the dead near the site of the capsizing, VNExpress newspaper said. Twenty-three people remain missing. Authorities had earlier reported that 12 people had been rescued, but later revised the figure to 11. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds, the newspaper said. A 14-year-old boy was among the survivors, and he was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull. The newspaper said that most of the passengers were tourists, including about 20 children, from Hanoi, the country's capital. A tropical storm is also moving toward the area. A national weather forecast said that Storm Wipha is expected to hit Vietnam's northern region, including Ha Long Bay's coast next week. (AP) NPK NPK First Published: July 19, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
