India Makes History: Namo Bharat RRTS and Meerut Metro to Run on Same Track

Meerut, India (Urban Transport News): In a landmark development for Indian rail infrastructure, Namo Bharat (Regional Rapid Transit System) and Meerut Metro will soon operate on the same tracks, marking the first time in Indian Railways’ history that regional and metro rail systems will share common infrastructure. This globally inspired integration model is being implemented as part of the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS corridor, developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

The 82-km corridor—India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail line—is being hailed as a game-changer in urban and regional connectivity. The segment within Meerut spans 23 km, where both RRTS and metro services will coexist on the same track, offering passengers high-frequency, multimodal transport without the need for interchanges.

Shared Tracks, Separate Operations

While the Namo Bharat trains (RRTS) are designed for semi-high-speed travel at 160 kmph, the Meerut Metro trains will serve local intra-city commuters at slower speeds with more frequent stops. Despite the speed differential, both services will operate harmoniously thanks to:

• Dedicated platforms at shared stations

• Advanced signalling systems (Hybrid European Train Control System – ETCS Level 2)

• LTE-based communications for real-time control

This integration allows Meerut’s residents to switch seamlessly between regional and urban travel, connecting the city to Delhi and Ghaziabad without needing separate transport infrastructure.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, hailed the integration as visionary, “This is a milestone moment for Indian transport. The unified operation of RRTS and metro on a shared track exemplifies smart infrastructure planning—optimizing costs, land, and technology to serve both long-distance and last-mile needs.”

Efficient, Sustainable, Future-Ready

The integrated model also brings considerable economic and environmental benefits, such as:

• Reduced capital expenditure by avoiding parallel lines

• Lower land acquisition requirements in dense urban zones

• Faster implementation timelines due to shared systems and depots

• Reduced emissions by encouraging modal shift from cars to clean electric transit

Once operational, this section of the corridor is expected to handle combined ridership in lakhs—with RRTS catering to regional passengers and Meerut Metro serving daily intra-city commuters from key neighbourhoods like Partapur, Begumpul, Modipuram, and Bhainsali.

What Makes This a First in Indian Railways

Indian Railways has historically maintained distinct infrastructure for long-distance and suburban trains. This RRTS-Metro integration sets a new precedent by:

• Sharing tracks, depots, and signalling systems

• Coordinating time slots and operational speeds

• Utilizing common construction and civil works for stations

Such models are already used in Europe and East Asia, but this is India’s first and will likely serve as a blueprint for future rapid transit corridors, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where space and funding constraints demand smart planning.

Namo Bharat Corridor: Fast-Tracking India's Future

The full 82-km Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor features:

• 70 km elevated, 12 km underground

• 25 stations, including intermodal hubs at Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South

• Current daily ridership of over 60,000 on the partially opened stretch

• Future potential to eliminate nearly 1 lakh cars from roads, cutting emissions and congestion

Once the remaining sections from Sarai Kale Khan to New Ashok Nagar (Delhi) and Meerut South to Modipuram are operational, the corridor will offer end-to-end travel in under 60 minutes.

The Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat integration is more than a technical innovation—it’s a bold vision for efficient, inclusive, and sustainable mobility in India. As the country invests in next-gen infrastructure, projects like these will define the future of multi-modal urban-regional connectivity.