Namo Bharat is a rapid rail system operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in India's National Capital Region (NCR). Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor is India's first regional rapid transit system as a part of Phase-1 aimed to provide faster and more convenient connections to satellite cities.The Namo Bharat semi-high-speed trainsets have an average speed of .
Germany's Deutsche Bahn won the contract to operate and maintain the entire Delhi–Meerut rapid rail transit corridor for 12 years, with a bid valued at approximately .
History The proposal for a regional rapid transit service to connect Delhi with nearby towns was floated in the 1998 by the Indian Railways under Vajpayee's ministryhttps://www.news18.com/india/fast-fabulous-as-pm-modi-launches-1st-regional-rapid-transit-system-whats-rrts-why-its-needed-8625837.html. In 2006, with the ongoing expansion of the Delhi Metro, the plan was under consideration as part of Delhi Metro's expansion to towns in the vicinity. In 2013, the Government of India established the National Capital Region Transport Corporation to implement eight planned Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) aimed at decongesting Delhi and its surrounding areas within a radius.
The project previously had the name RapidX. When passenger services were launched in October 2023, NCRTC rebranded both the RRTS services and the trainsets as "Namo Bharat" (). The name means 'bow to India' in Sanskrit, but opposition leaders have noted that 'Namo' is also an abbreviation used for the incumbent Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, linking the service to him.
Features
Integration The three Phase-1 Namo Bharat corridors—Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat, and Delhi-Alwar—will converge at Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan station. These corridors will be interoperable, allowing trains to move freely between them.
Namo Bharat stations are integrated with other modes of public transport wherever feasible, including airports, railway stations of the Indian Railway network, inter-state bus terminals, and Delhi Metro stations. This integration aims to ensure seamless commuter transfers between different modes of transportation, encouraging greater reliance on public transit systems. While Namo Bharat will serve as the backbone of regional transportation across the National Capital Region, Delhi Metro lines will complement it by functioning as feeder lines. The Sarai Kale Khan RapidX station will serve as a mega-terminal where all three Phase-I RapidX corridors converge, further enhancing connectivity.
+Multimodal integration of Namo Bharat stationsNamo Bharat stationsIntegrationGhaziabad Shaheed Sthal New Ashok Nagar New Ashok NagarAnand Vihar Anand Vihar ISBT
UPSRTC bus depot (Kaushambi)
Sarai Kale Khan Sarai Kale Khan Nizamuddin
Sarai Kale Khan ISBTINA Dilli Haat – INA Aerocity Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi Aerocity Udyog Vihar Proposed extension of Rapid Metro GurgaonKherki Dhaula toll Proposed bus terminusPanchgao Proposed ISBT Proposed multimodal hubBawal Bawal bus stand
Ticketing Passengers can travel with any National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) compliant card. One can purchase these cards from the ticket counter at the stations. This card can be recharged with a minimum value of ₹100 up to a maximum value of ₹2000. Other ticketing options include the Namo Bharat Connect mobile application, Ticket Vending Machine (TVMs) equipped with credit/debit/prepaid card readers in addition to payment through cash, and paper QR code-based journey tickets.
Facilities
The Namo Bharat trainsets have six coaches which can accommodate 450 passengers.
Business class: Each RapidX train has a separate business coach.
Premium lounge: Premium lounges have been built at every station of the network. These lounges will be reserved for business class passengers commuting via the RRTS.
Women's coach: Each Namo Bharat train will have a separate coach for women travellers, just like the Delhi Metro.
Safety The train is equipped with safety features such as CCTV cameras, emergency door-opening mechanism and a communication button to communicate with the train operator. Every RRTS station has platform screen doors integrated with the RRTS train doors and signalling system.
Wireless Railway Signalling System Nokia partnered with Alstom to implement the 4.9G/LTE private wireless network to support the ETCS L2 signalling for the RRTS. This is a "world-first application" of an LTE network integrated with ETCS Level 2 signalling, enabling high-speed and highly reliable commuter services. Additionally, the ETCS Level 2 system allows trains to provide real-time updates of their precise location.
Cargo handling To optimise the utilisation of the Namo Bharat system, the routes will also be used for transporting cargo during non-peak hours, with a focus on goods like perishables that can benefit significantly from the service. This initiative is expected to reduce pollution by decongesting roads between cities and decreasing the number of trucks in transit. Additionally, the system's trainset depots will be equipped with warehouses and other facilities to handle cargo efficiently.
Technology
The NCRTC is developing a cutting-edge rail-based rapid transit system in the National Capital Region, designed for a maximum speed of . Achieving this speed requires grade-separated tracks and advanced signaling and control systems to ensure high capacity and safe operations. The rolling stock will feature air-conditioned train cars with rapid acceleration and deceleration capabilities. Traction power will be supplied through a specially designed system: a 25 kV flexible overhead catenary system for elevated sections and a rigid overhead catenary system for tunnels.
Rolling stock
The trains for the service were specifically designed for fast and comfortable regional commutes. The lightweight stainless steel body of the Namo Bharat trainsets, combined with their aerodynamic nose design, minimises air drag at high speeds of up to . The trainsets were engineered at Alstom's design center in Hyderabad and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli.
Track and signalling Ballastless track
The Slab Track Austria system, known for delivering exceptional riding comfort even at high speeds of , is being used in India for the first time. These tracks are favoured for their durability, reduced maintenance needs, and ease of replacement.
ETCS Level 2 signalling system
The ETCS Level-2 signaling system, widely used globally for high-speed railway transit, is being implemented in India for the first time. This advanced system features modern signaling with virtual blocks and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) functionality over an LTE backbone. A standout feature of the RRTS is the interoperability across all corridors, enabled by ETCS Level-2. The system monitors train speed and direction while providing operational directives via a radio block center. The use of virtual blocks eliminates the possibility of train collisions, ensuring enhanced safety and efficiency.
Construction technology Systematic Program Evaluation for Efficient Delivery of Project (SPEED) SPEED is an in-house platform developed by NCRTC, designed for monitoring and managing the reporting of activities during the pre-construction and construction phases of the RRTS. This system is built on modern technological frameworks, including JavaScript and PHP.
Common Data Environment (CDE) A Common Data Environment (CDE) has been implemented to serve as a centralised repository for all construction and pre-construction drawings and technical documents. It facilitates real-time collaboration and sharing of updated information, ensuring a single source of truth across the organisation. The CDE enables efficient management of design processes, defines and implements workflows, and monitors progress and actions throughout the organisation.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insights and tools needed to efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings, infrastructure, and other structures. Project components, such as walls and doors, are modeled in 3D using BIM software, offering a realistic representation of how the final structure will appear. All RRTS stations are currently being designed and developed using the BIM platform.
Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) The NCRTC is installing a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network system, including a control station, to enhance geolocation accuracy for civil construction surveys. This system delivers real-time, highly precise coordinates with an accuracy of 5–10 mm, compared to the 10–15 meters typically provided by standard GPS. By eliminating cumulative errors in geolocation, the CORS network ensures better alignment during construction and serves as a comprehensive life cycle management solution for the project.
Network
Summary
RouteStatesLengthConstruction beganOpeningNotesMapDelhi–MeerutDelhi and Uttar PradeshJanuary 201922 February 2026Fully operational.Delhi–AlwarDelhi, Haryana and RajasthanAugust 2026 (tentative)November 2031Pre-construction works are underway.Kanpur-AyodhyaUttar PradeshTBD2031Project has been Approved.Ghaziabad-JewarDelhi and Uttar PradeshTBD2028DPR awaiting approval.Delhi–PanipatDelhi and HaryanaTBDTBDDPR awaiting approval.Thiruvananthapuram–KasaragodKeralaTBD2036Feasibility study Approved.Patna–ArrahBiharTBDTBDTBDDPR Approved.Patna–BegusaraiTBDTBDTBDDPR Approved.Patna–MuzaffarpurTBDTBDTBDDPR Approved.Patna–GayaTBDTBDTBDDPR Approved.Kolkata–MayapurWest BengalTBDTBDProposed.Kolkata–AsansolTBDTBDProposed.Kolkata–NandigramTBDTBDProposed.Kolkata–MedinipurTBDTBDProposed.Bengaluru–MysuruKarnatakaTBDTBDProposed.Bengaluru–ChikkaballapuraTBDTBDProposed.Bengaluru–TumakuruTBDTBDProposed.Bengaluru–KolarTBDTBDProposed.Bengaluru–KanakapuraTBDTBDProposed.Chennai–VillupuramTamil NaduTBDTBDProposed.Chennai–VelloreTBDTBDProposed.Coimbatore–SalemTBDTBDProposed.Ahmedabad–SanandGujarat TBD TBD TBD Proposed to link satellite towns.Vadodara–Savli TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Gandhinagar–Kalol TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Surat–Bardoli TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Rajkot–Hirasar TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Hyderabad–Warangal Telangana TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Hyderabad–Vijayawada Telangana and Andhra Pradesh TBD TBD TBD Proposed.Pune–Nashik Maharashtra TBD 2029 Proposed. Survey and feasibility report completed.
See also Urban rail transit in India High-speed rail in India Dedicated freight corridors in India Vande Bharat Express Amrit Bharat Station Scheme Indian Railways
References
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