Namo Bharat Train Begins Trial Runs on Key Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor Section.

Trial runs for the Namo Bharat train commenced on Saturday night along a crucial 4.5 km stretch between New Ashok Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan stations on the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.

In a significant milestone, the train crossed the Yamuna river for the first time, traveling over the Barapullah flyover and Ring Road before reaching Sarai Kale Khan station. This section is part of the operational 55 km stretch between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Meerut South, with Sarai Kale Khan being the third station on the route.

According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is implementing the corridor, the trial run was conducted manually to test the compatibility of the signalling system. “As the trials progress, we will carry out comprehensive evaluations to assess integration with various subsystems, including tracks, platform screen doors, and the overhead power supply system. High-speed trials are also planned in the coming days,” said an NCRTC official.

The train also passed over the newly constructed 1.3 km Yamuna bridge, a complex engineering feat supported by 32 pillars. Of the total length, around 626 meters lies directly above the river, while the remainder stretches across the floodplain. The bridge runs parallel to the existing DND flyway.

Reaching Sarai Kale Khan also required the construction of a viaduct over the densely packed Barapullah flyover and Ring Road—another significant challenge successfully met by the NCRTC. Once fully operational, this section will offer seamless, air-conditioned transit between Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut.

Sarai Kale Khan station is expected to become a major commuter hub along the corridor. It will integrate multiple public transport modes, offering connections to the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Veer Haqiqat Rai ISBT, and the Ring Road bus terminal.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor spans 82 km in total, with a 14 km stretch running through Delhi. This section includes three stations: Anand Vihar (underground), New Ashok Nagar, and Sarai Kale Khan.

ET