Historic Launch of India’s First Namo Bharat Train Marks a Grand Leap in Urban Transit
In a momentous event, India’s inaugural Namo Bharat Train commenced its commercial operations today, creating ripples of excitement and fervor throughout the nation. The visionary project, aimed at establishing a faster, safer, and highly efficient urban transit system, reached a significant milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Namo Bharat Train on the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
The first day of operations on this eagerly anticipated route witnessed a remarkable response from commuters hailing from diverse backgrounds. The historic journey commenced at 6 AM, with some enthusiastic travelers arriving as early as 4:30 AM, eager to be a part of this monumental occasion. Passengers from nearby regions like Muradnagar, as well as those from distant parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, came together to embrace this transformative transit experience.
Men, women, senior citizens, and children from all walks of life embarked on this groundbreaking journey. The RRTS stations, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and striking architectural grandeur, left passengers awestruck. Not only were they eager to board the Namo Bharat Train, but they also displayed a remarkable curiosity about the innovative features offered by the RRTS, including Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and QR Code Tickets.
With the initial fervor, it is projected that the number of Namo Bharat Train riders could easily surpass the 10,000 mark on the very first day of service, as the operation is still ongoing.
Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), extended a warm welcome to the first set of passengers on India’s inaugural Namo Bharat Train. The passengers received flowers, engaged in conversations, and were recognized as the “First Riders” with a special certificate.
The excitement didn’t stop at boarding the train. Passengers documented this historic journey through photographs and videos, with some even breaking into spontaneous dances in the aisles to express their sheer joy and excitement. Families and friends gathered to capture memories through pictures, selfies, and videos, all eager to be a part of this momentous occasion. Among the crowd, some office-goers blended work and leisure seamlessly. Children, meanwhile, enjoyed the station and platform areas, reassured by the platform screen doors and other safety features, which ensured a safe and secure travel experience.
The day was made even more special by the welcoming gestures of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS staff and officers present, who exhibited unwavering dedication by assisting customers at every point and turning the journey into a memorable experience.
In a bid to provide last-mile connectivity to passengers, the NCRTC ensured the availability of Electric Auto Rickshaws under RRTS Feeder services, engaging service providers at stations. Additionally, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) initiated an AC electric bus service from Anand Vihar to Sahibabad station, with buses departing every 20 minutes.
The enthusiasm of passengers extended to the RRTS Connect App, which witnessed over 2,000 downloads on its inaugural day. This user-friendly application streamlined the booking of train journeys, receiving high praise from users for its efficiency.
The launch of India’s first Namo Bharat Train represents a significant step toward transforming urban transit, and the enthusiastic response from commuters across the spectrum marks a memorable day in the nation’s transport history.
