In News:

• The Prime Minister inaugurated both the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and the Meerut Metro from a single platform, marking the first instance in India where a rapid rail (regional system) and a metro (intra-city system) were launched together on the same day.
• The Meerut Metro operates on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat corridor in a first-of-its-kind integrated model.

About Namo Bharat

• India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
• Dedicated semi-high-speed commuter rail network.
• Designed to transform connectivity across the National Capital Region (NCR).
• Speed Specifications
  • Design Speed: 180 km/h
  • Operational Speed: Up to 160 km/h
  • Average Speed: ~100 km/h
• Primary Objective
  • Reduce congestion on roads and conventional rail networks.
  • Provide high-frequency, fast connectivity for commuters traveling 100–200 km distances.
  • Promote sustainable and transit-oriented regional development.

Flagship Corridor

Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS

• Length: ~82 km
• Full operations inaugurated in February 2026.
• Connects Delhi with key urban centres in western Uttar Pradesh.

Distinction from Other Rail Systems

1. RRTS vs Metro

2. RRTS vs Vande Bharat Express

Meerut Metro

Key Features

• Connects Meerut South – Modipuram.
• India’s fastest metro with speeds up to 120 km/h.
• Operates on shared infrastructure with Namo Bharat in certain sections—first such model in India.

Significance

• Integrated Urban–Regional Mobility Model: First example of metro and rapid rail operating together on common infrastructure.
• Decongestion of NCR: Encourages modal shift from private vehicles to mass transit.
• Economic Growth: Boosts real estate, employment, and regional economic integration.
• Sustainable Transport: Energy-efficient, high-capacity public transport reduces carbon footprint.