Namo Bharat – Revolutionizing regional mobility in India
With the recent inauguration of the additional 13-km section of the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Namo Bharat corridor by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the 55 km stretch from New Ashok Nagar in Delhi to Meerut South is now open for public use, covering eleven stations. Construction of the remaining parts of the corridor is on track to meet the 2025 deadline for full operation.
For the first time in the country, the Meerut Metro system is uniquely integrated with the Namo Bharat, sharing infrastructure between Meerut South and Modipuram, providing a seamless transit experience for the people of Western Uttar Pradesh. The 23-km Meerut Metro corridor will feature 13 stations, covering the distance in just 30 minutes.
Namo Bharat is a transformative mobility solution poised to address the myriad crises confronting our urban centers, sustainably. However, without a seamless integration of transport and land-use planning, comprehensive solutions remain elusive. This underscores the pivotal role of Multi-Modal-Integration, facilitating seamless integration of the Namo Bharat network with other public transit modes.
In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s National Gati Shakti Master Plan, Namo Bharat stations are being strategically connected with Railway stations, Metro stations, and bus depots, wherever possible. By intertwining various mass transit systems, we aim to forge a vast network-of-networks, enhance ridership, and ensure the long-term sustainability of these capital-intensive projects.
For the efficient digital integration of ticketing systems, NCRTC has entered Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with IRCTC and DMRC. This collaboration supports the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative.
This collaboration enables seamless ticketing for Namo Bharat trains on the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor through the IRCTC platform. Also, customers who book a Namo Bharat train ticket through the Namo Bharat Connect App can simultaneously purchase a Delhi Metro ticket. Similarly, passengers using the DMRC Mobile App to book a metro ticket can also add a Namo Bharat train ticket.
For the first Namo Bharat corridor, NCRTC has incorporated several eco-friendly technologies and green initiatives, in line with our commitment to environmental conservation. NCRTC aspires to cover 70% of the total energy requirement of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor through the generation of 11 MWp solar power.
Solar power panels are being installed on the rooftops of all the stations, depots, and other auxiliary buildings across the corridor. The organization is actively pursuing the highest rating of IGBC certification for all Namo Bharat stations, depots, and buildings.
These installations have transformed depots, key stations, and substations into clean energy hubs, currently generating 4 MWp of solar power. We intend to use green energy for the traction of rakes in Namo Bharat.
The trains on this system operate on electric traction, significantly reducing fossil fuel consumption compared to road vehicles. This Made-in-India rolling stock is equipped with regenerative braking systems which converts 30% kinetic energy into electrical energy.
Through in-house developed tools like SPEED, NCRTC ensures real-time monitoring of construction activities, facilitating timely and efficient project delivery. Digitalization and technological advancements are key focus areas for NCRTC, enhancing both project execution and passenger facilitation.
NCRTC has implemented European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 over LTE backbone for the first time in the world, which includes Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) sub-systems. Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) are also integrated with the ETCS signalling system for enhanced safety of passengers.
Author: Shri Shalabh Goel, MD NCRTC
