Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Achieves Historic Milestone with Over 1 Lakh Commuters
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 82-kilometer Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, the total ridership is projected to exceed one lakh commuters on Monday, according to officials from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). This remarkable achievement marks the highest ridership recorded on the corridor since its inception, highlighting the immediate impact and public acceptance of this transformative infrastructure project.
Record-Breaking Ridership Surpasses Previous Highs
Officials anticipate that after the last train departs at 10 PM on Monday, the total ridership will surpass 100,000 commuters. This milestone represents the first full day of operations following the grand inauguration of the corridor on Sunday evening. An NCRTC official stated, "This is the highest ridership recorded on the corridor to date, demonstrating the strong demand for efficient and rapid transit in the National Capital Region." Prior to this, the highest single-day ridership on the previously operational stretch was 85,500 commuters, with an average daily ridership hovering around 60,000.
Full Corridor Operations Enhance Connectivity
The entire 82-kilometer corridor, which includes the originating station at Sarai Kale Khan and three additional stations in Uttar Pradesh—Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram—officially opened to the public on Sunday at 6 PM. Previously, a 55-kilometer section covering 11 stations from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South was operational. The complete journey from Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram now takes approximately 58 minutes, significantly reducing travel time and improving connectivity between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
The NCRTC, the executing agency for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, has emphasized that this record ridership underscores the project's success in addressing urban mobility challenges. The corridor is designed to provide high-speed, reliable, and comfortable transit options, contributing to reduced traffic congestion and enhanced economic integration across the region. As operations continue, officials are optimistic about sustaining and potentially increasing ridership numbers, further solidifying the RRTS as a cornerstone of modern public transportation in India.
