Delhi-Meerut RRTS to link seamlessly with Metro for smoother NCR travel

With the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor nearing full operations, travel from the national capital to far-off parts of the NCR is expected to become smoother. A majority of Namo Bharat stations have been designed to link directly with the Delhi Metro, allowing passengers to continue their journey seamlessly without leaving the RRTS premises.

Along this corridor, four major points—Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar and Ghaziabad—have been tied to nearby metro stations. For instance, the Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat station will connect with the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line.

Some RRTS stations that are already active have similar integration in place. The New Ashok Nagar stop links to DMRC’s Blue Line, Anand Vihar connects with both the Blue and Pink lines, while Ghaziabad is aligned with the Red Line. To keep commuters informed, both Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat trains regularly announce these connectivity details.


"The idea is to create a network of networks so that passengers are conveniently able to travel from Delhi to NCR towns on Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat trains," said an official.

The stations of these two train systems have been integrated with measures like foot bridges, travelators, escalators and lifts to enable passengers to seamlessly switch from one station to another as per their need.

A DMRC official said, "The extension of the Namo Bharat corridor to Sarai Kale Khan and its integration with other transit systems there will further enhance seamless travel for people across Delhi-NCR."

Even on the proposed two corridors under RRTS Phase I, many stations will be linked with Delhi Metro stations. The Delhi-Gurgaon-SNB-Alwar RRTS corridor might see links with DMRC lines at Sarai Kale Khan, INA, Munirka, Aerocity and Cyber City. Meanwhile, it is proposed to integrate Sarai Kale Khan, Indraprastha, Kashmere Gate and Burari Crossing on the Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS corridor with the Delhi Metro network.

Since the detailed project report of these two corridors is yet to be approved, more stations might be connected with the metro in the future. The Namo Bharat stations have also been designed to run in consonance with other modes of transportation, including railway and buses."The Namo Bharat stations are designed with a strong focus on multi-modal integration to ensure seamless connectivity between various modes of transportation. This integration is aligned with the Prime Minister's GatiShakti National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity. The goal is to create an interconnected network that provides hassle-free, efficient travel experiences for commuters across the NCR," said an official of National Capital Region Transport Corporation, which is executing the RRTS project.

Multi-modal integration at Namo Bharat stations offers convenience and time savings for passengers. Travellers can switch between buses, metro, and trains without leaving the station complex or covering long distances, thus reducing travel time and enhancing the commuting experience.

"By providing seamless connections to different transport modes, NCRTC anticipates increased ridership, particularly among those looking to avoid NCR's traffic congestion. This integration encourages the use of public transport, reducing dependence on private vehicles, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable urban mobility," said the official.

Delhi Metro currently has an operational network of 350km with 255 stations. The 82km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is expected to become operational this month.

(With TOI inputs)