PM Modi Inaugurates India’s First Namo Bharat RRTS and Dedicates Delhi–Meerut Corridor to the Nation

In a landmark moment for India’s urban mobility and infrastructure transformation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) and dedicated the full Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Meerut Metro, marking the first time in India that both a rapid rail and metro service have been launched from the same platform on the same day.

Addressing a massive public gathering in Meerut, the Prime Minister described the occasion as the dawn of a new era of world-class infrastructure for Uttar Pradesh and the entire country.

“Today, Uttar Pradesh and the entire country are witnessing a new era of world-class infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said.

A First in India: Metro and Rapid Rail from the Same Platform

One of the most distinctive features of the Delhi–Meerut corridor is the operational integration of Namo Bharat trains and the Meerut Metro service from the same station and on the same track—an unprecedented model in India’s public transport history.

“It is happening for the first time in the country that Namo Bharat and Metro rail will operate on the same station and on the same track,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

He explained that commuters can now use the metro for intra-city travel within Meerut and seamlessly shift to the Namo Bharat service for high-speed connectivity to Delhi—all from the same platform.

“From the very same platform, one will be able to travel within the city, and from that same station, one can also commute directly to and from Delhi,” he added.

This integration is expected to dramatically reduce travel time, ease congestion, and eliminate the need for thousands of daily commuters to maintain rented accommodations in Delhi.

A Symbol of ‘Viksit Uttar Pradesh’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’

Calling the project a glimpse of what connectivity in a Developed India would look like, the Prime Minister underlined that modern infrastructure is central to India’s journey toward becoming a fully developed nation by 2047.

The Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor integrates multiple transport nodes including Indian Railways, metro systems, and bus stands at Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. The Prime Minister described this multi-modal integration as a template for future mobility planning across India.

He highlighted that before 2014, metro rail services were operational in only five cities. Today, they are running in over 25 cities, placing India among the countries with the world’s largest metro networks.

Double-Engine Governance and Project Execution

The Prime Minister credited the rapid execution of the corridor to what he termed the “work culture” of the Double-Engine Government.

“Our work culture is such that once the foundation stone of a task is laid, day and night are merged to complete it. That is why now projects do not remain pending like before,” he remarked.

Reflecting on his personal association with the project, he noted:

“Be it Namo Bharat or the metro service, I had the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for both, and today I have also been fortunate to inaugurate them.”

This, he said, reflects a governance model focused on delivery, continuity, and accountability.

Boost to MSMEs, Employment, and Regional Economy

For the MSME sector, the project represents more than mobility—it signals economic acceleration.

The Prime Minister noted that large-scale infrastructure investments such as expressways, freight corridors, and the upcoming Jewar International Airport are creating substantial employment opportunities and attracting new industries to the region.

He highlighted that the Union Budget 2026 has announced a ₹10,000 crore special fund to improve credit access for MSMEs. Additionally, the removal of the ₹10 lakh courier export limit will allow small entrepreneurs in Meerut and across Uttar Pradesh to directly ship goods to customers in the US and Europe via digital platforms.

“This allows small entrepreneurs in Meerut and across UP to sell directly to customers in the US and Europe via online apps,” he announced.

For SMEStreet readers, this corridor is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, improve workforce mobility, and strengthen the industrial ecosystem of western Uttar Pradesh—particularly in sports goods, handicrafts, agro-processing, and small manufacturing clusters.

Nari Shakti at the Helm

During his visit, the Prime Minister traveled aboard the Meerut Metro and interacted with students and passengers. He lauded the project as a symbol of ‘Nari-Shakti,’ noting that a majority of train operators and station control staff are women.

This operational inclusion reflects a broader push toward gender diversity in India’s infrastructure and public transport workforce.

Global Confidence in India’s Growth Story

Linking domestic infrastructure growth with India’s rising global stature, the Prime Minister stated:

“Many developed countries of the world are today signing trade agreements with India.”

He further added:

“Today, developed countries are eager to partner with India. This is because they see their own future in India’s development and they see hope in India’s youth power.”

Positioning India as a global problem-solver, he remarked:

“Today, the world feels that India is that power which can provide solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.”

For MSMEs, this global confidence translates into enhanced export opportunities, stronger supply chain integration, and technology collaboration.

Tribute to Chaudhary Charan Singh and Farmers

The Prime Minister recalled the historic contributions of Chaudhary Charan Singh, stating that the Meerut-Hapur region has long reflected his agricultural vision.

“The Meerut-Hapur region and the surrounding areas have witnessed Chaudhary Charan Singh ji's vision from the very beginning, and it has been the good fortune of our government that we got the privilege of conferring the Bharat Ratna upon him,” he said.

He noted that under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, nearly ₹95,000 crore has been transferred to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, and reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing farmers’ income through food processing and value addition.

Law and Order, Manufacturing & Semiconductor Push

Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s transformation, the Prime Minister contrasted the past era of crime and unrest with today’s industrial resurgence.

He stated that improved law and order has laid the foundation for investments in sectors such as mobile manufacturing, defense production including BrahMos systems, tourism, and now semiconductor manufacturing.

Recently, the foundation stone for Uttar Pradesh’s first semiconductor factory was laid—signaling the state’s entry into advanced electronics manufacturing.

“A developed Uttar Pradesh is essential for a developed India,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Strategic Significance for NCR’s Future

The Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor is not merely a transport project; it is a structural shift in how regional economies integrate with metropolitan centers. By shrinking distances and integrating infrastructure, it redefines the concept of “Twin Cities” in the National Capital Region.

For MSMEs, exporters, startup founders, and manufacturers across western Uttar Pradesh, the corridor opens access to talent, markets, logistics hubs, and policy ecosystems in Delhi—without relocation pressures.

As India moves toward 2047, projects like the Namo Bharat RRTS exemplify how infrastructure, governance, and economic ambition are being aligned to create a faster, more connected, and globally competitive Bharat.