New Delhi: Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that the NaMo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System operational on the 82-km long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2023, has crossed the mark of over 4.5 crore passenger trips so far.
Addressing the ‘NaMo Bharat Diwas 2026’ programme to commemorate three successful years of NaMo Bharat operations, he said, “This achievement reflects the growing faith of the people in modern, safe and seamless transport systems. ”
Currently, NaMo Bharat is being used by more than 1.1 lakh passengers daily. The system has also recorded the highest ever number of passengers in a single day with around 1.68 lakh passengers.
“NaMo Bharat Rapid Rail is ushering in a new era of regional connectivity in India and giving a new direction to the future of urban transport. Improved transportation systems not only reduce the distance between cities but also connect people to new opportunities, accelerating regional development and economic progress. ”
He complimented the officials, engineers, technical experts, employees and workers of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) who contributed in realizing this ambitious project.
NaMo Bharat is making people’s travel more convenient through fast, regular and reliable services. This has eased access to workplaces, educational institutions, and economic centers, saving time for commuters.
The Delhi-Panipat-Karnal and Delhi-Gurugram-Behrar NaMo Bharat corridors are also likely to be approved soon. The Ghaziabad-Jewar and Noida-Faridabad-Gurugram corridors are at the detailed project report (DPR) stage.
During the ceremony, NCRTC also shared the major achievements of NaMo Bharat’s three-year journey, highlighting initiatives such as strengthening multimodal connectivity, improving first and last mile connectivity, enhancing passenger experience, and initiatives such as ‘Solar on Track’ and 110 MW captive solar power plant. The aim is to make the project more environmentally and financially sustainable.
Speaking at the event, Shalabh Goel, Managing Director, NCRTC said, “NCRTC was established with the objective of developing a modern, safe, reliable and eco-friendly regional transport system in the country. The journey of NaMo Bharat is a testament to how modern public transport can bring people closer to opportunities and contribute to developing a more connected, accessible and sustainable sector. ”
Annual NCRTC Awards were also presented on the occasion, wherein the employees who have performed well throughout the year were felicitated.
[DD news]