Infrastructure / Namo Bharat Ridership Crosses 4.5 Crore as Rapid Rail Network Marks Three Years

New Delhi, Oct 18: The Namo Bharat rapid rail transit system has crossed a major milestone, recording over 4.5 crore passenger journeys on the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2023.

The achievement was highlighted during the Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 celebrations marking three years of operations, where Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar hailed the system as a key driver of modern regional connectivity and urban mobility.

Addressing the celebration, the minister said, “This achievement reflects the growing trust of the people in modern, safe and seamless transportation.”

Namo Bharat currently serves over 1.1 lakh commuters daily and has recorded its highest-ever single-day ridership of around 1.68 lakh passengers.

“Namo Bharat rapid rail is ushering in a new era of regional connectivity in India, giving a new dimension to the future of urban transportation. Better transportation does not merely reduce distances between cities but also connects people with new opportunities, thereby accelerating regional development and economic progress,” the minister further stated.

He commended all the officers, engineers, technical experts, employees and workers of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for their dedicated and committed contribution towards realising this ambitious project.

With its fast, frequent and reliable services, Namo Bharat is helping people travel more efficiently, bringing workplaces, educational institutions and economic centres within easier reach and giving commuters greater convenience and more time in their daily lives.

Two more priority Namo Bharat corridors, namely Delhi-Panipat-Karnal and Delhi-Gurugram-Behror, are likely to receive approval soon. Meanwhile, the Ghaziabad-Jewar and Noida-Faridabad-Gurgaon corridors are currently at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage.

As part of the celebration event, NCRTC reflected on the journey of Namo Bharat, highlighting key milestones, multimodal connectivity initiatives, enhanced first- and last-mile connectivity measures, and sustainability efforts such as the Solar on Track programme and the development of a 110 MW captive solar power plant.
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Addressing the gathering, NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goel said, “NCRTC was established with a vision to develop a modern, safe, reliable and environmentally friendly regional transport system in the country. The journey of Namo Bharat stands as a testament to the power of modern public transport to bring people closer to opportunities and contribute to a more connected, accessible and sustainable region.”

The occasion also featured the Annual NCRTC Awards, where employees were felicitated for their outstanding performance during the year.
(IANS)