Delhi-Meerut full rapid rail corridor to be ready in June; final trials underway on 82km stretch
The Delhi-Meerut rapid rail corridor is nearing completion, promising significantly faster commutes between the two cities
GHAZIABAD: In just about a month, the commute between Delhi and Meerut could be nearly as quick as a Gurgaon-Connaught Place metro ride.
The NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is set to achieve a milestone as the 82km rapid rail corridor it is building from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut is on the cusp of full readiness.
Officials confirmed that trains could run on the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor either by the end of this month or early July. A 55km of the section — from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South — is already functional while trials on the remaining stretch and Meerut Metro, which is part of this section, will be complete this month.
A clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) is expected in a couple of weeks.
Once that is done, it will pave the way for India's first semi-high speed mass transit corridor to become operational fully.
"Technically speaking, rapid rail trains are already running on the entire 82km corridor. While the 55km section from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South is operational, trial runs are progressing on the remaining stretch — 4.5km between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and 23km between Meerut South and Modipuram.
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These sections are ready for an inspection by the CMRS," said an NCRTC official.
According to the official, work on the metro corridor on the 27km stretch was almost over as well. "We are planning to present the complete stretch, including the Meerut Metro, for inauguration soon. We're on track to meet the June deadline. The final commissioning date, however, will rest with the ministry and higher authorities," the official said.
It has taken six years for the corridor to start commercial operations since Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in March 2019.
The project has seen systematic implementation since Oct 2023, when the 17km priority section from Sahibabad to Duhai began operations. Subsequently, a 17km stretch from Duhai to Modinagar North was commissioned in March 2023, followed by an 8km section from Modinagar North to Meerut South.
Jan 2024 saw the commissioning of the 13km stretch between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar, bringing the operational length to 55km.
"This expanding operational network has helped rapid rail trains achieve a milestone of over one crore ridership," the official added.
Apart from the 55km section, there are three more stations beyond Meerut South — Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram.
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