Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar stated on Sunday that the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System—operating on the 82-kilometre-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2023—has now surpassed the milestone of 45 million (4.5 crore) passenger journeys.
Addressing the ‘Namo Bharat Diwas 2026’ event, held to mark the successful completion of three years of Namo Bharat operations, he remarked, “This achievement reflects the growing public trust in a modern, safe, and seamless transport system.”
Currently, more than 110,000 (1.1 lakh) passengers use the Namo Bharat service daily. The system has also recorded a peak ridership of approximately 168,000 (1.68 lakh) passengers in a single day.
Khattar stated, “The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is ushering in a new era of regional connectivity in India and shaping the future of urban transport. An improved transport system not only reduces the distance between cities but also connects people to new opportunities, thereby accelerating regional development and economic progress.”
He commended the officials, engineers, technical experts, staff, and workers of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for their contributions toward realising this ambitious project.
Through its fast, frequent, and reliable services, Namo Bharat is making travel more convenient for the public. It has facilitated easier access to workplaces, educational institutions, and economic hubs, while also saving time for commuters.
The Delhi-Panipat-Karnal and Delhi-Gurugram-Behror Namo Bharat corridors are also expected to receive approval soon. Meanwhile, the Ghaziabad-Jewar and Noida-Faridabad-Gurugram corridors are currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage. During the event, NCRTC shared key achievements from the three-year journey of ‘Namo Bharat’.
These included strengthening multi-modal connectivity, improving first and last-mile connectivity, enhancing the passenger experience, and implementing initiatives such as ‘Solar on Track’ and a 110 MW captive solar power plant—all aimed at making the project more environmentally and financially sustainable.
Speaking at the event, Shalabh Goyal, Managing Director of NCRTC, stated, “NCRTC was established with the objective of developing a modern, safe, reliable, and eco-friendly regional transport system in the country. The journey of ‘Namo Bharat’ serves as a testament to how modern public transport can bring people closer to opportunities and contribute to the development of a more connected, accessible, and sustainable region.”
On this occasion, the annual NCRTC awards were also presented, recognising employees for their outstanding performance throughout the year.
