NCRTC to Launch Fast Namo Bharat Trains on Delhi-Meerut Corridor from November 2026

Fast Train Launch

Fast Namo Bharat trains will begin operations on the Delhi-Meerut corridor on November 16, 2026. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is introducing these services to speed up travel during peak morning and evening hours as passenger numbers grow. These limited-stop trains will cut down travel time significantly for daily commuters.

Timings and Route

Passengers can travel from Anand Vihar to Ghaziabad in just 8 minutes, from Ghaziabad to Begumpul in 28 minutes, and from Anand Vihar to Begumpul in 36 minutes. The entire corridor trip will take under 50 minutes. During morning peak hours, two fast trains will depart from Sarai Kale Khan towards Modipuram and two from Modipuram towards Sarai Kale Khan at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. Evening peak services will run at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM in both directions. These fast trains have limited stops at five major stations: Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad, Begumpul, and Modipuram. Regular trains will continue to run every 10 minutes alongside these new services.

Passenger Milestones

About 1.1 lakh people use the corridor every day, and the network recently crossed the milestone of 5 crore passenger journeys. In the last three months alone, the system recorded over 32 lakh passenger journeys each month. Officials note that speeding up travel during severe air pollution in the region aims to encourage more people to use public transport and reduce traffic on the roads. Commuters are advised to check display boards and station announcements to tell regular trains apart from the new fast services.

Context

Rapid rail transit systems like Namo Bharat are designed to connect major urban centres and reduce highway congestion by offering high-speed regional connectivity. Expanding peak-hour services is a common approach taken by transit authorities to handle high commuter volumes and encourage shifts from personal vehicles to public transit.