India, Feb. 23 – Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Sunday that proposals for two rapid rail corridors originating from Sarai Kale Khan are nearing approval, marking a significant expansion of the high-speed transit network in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sarai Kale Khan station on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), Khattar highlighted that the new corridors will improve regional connectivity, shorten travel times, and enhance commuting between Delhi and neighbouring states.
“One corridor will connect Sarai Kale Khan to Karnal, Haryana, spanning approximately 125–130 km and expected to complete in about 90 minutes,” Khattar said. The second proposed route is planned from Sarai Kale Khan to Babarpur, Haryana, extending to Neemrana, Rajasthan.
The station, inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Meerut, is set to serve as a major interchange for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS and future rapid rail networks, acting as a key hub in NCR’s transport infrastructure.
Khattar underlined the importance of integrating rapid rail expansion with urban planning, emphasizing transit-oriented development around metro and RRTS stations to reduce road congestion. He also stressed improving last mile connectivity for seamless travel between stations, homes, workplaces, and markets.
Highlighting the broader impact on NCR, Khattar said the new corridors would help distribute population and economic activity across districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, alleviating pressure on Delhi. He also cited the rapid growth of metro networks, noting that operational metro lines in India now cover over 1,100 km across 24 cities, compared to 248 km in just five cities a decade ago.
In Delhi, daily metro ridership has risen to around 1.25 crore passengers, reflecting increased demand for public transit.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) confirmed that Namo Bharat services on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor have been extended. Trains will now operate from New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Meerut South to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
The NCRTC said the extended services cover stations including Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, Modinagar, Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram.
In addition, Meerut Metro services on the Meerut South–Modipuram stretch will commence operations, passing through Meerut South, Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Bramhapuri, Meerut Central, Bhaisali, Begumpul, MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North, and Modipuram stations.
Both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro extended services began operating from 6 pm on February 22, enhancing travel options for commuters in the NCR and surrounding regions.