NCRTC to Launch Fast Namo Bharat Trains from November 16; Anand Vihar to Begumpul in 36 Minutes
Eight additional peak-hour services to operate between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram, stopping at just five stations; Anand Vihar–Ghaziabad journey to take only eight minutes.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is set to introduce special Fast Namo Bharat train services on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor from November 16, 2026. The new limited-stop services will operate during morning and evening peak hours to reduce travel time and provide faster connectivity to daily commuters.
Under the new arrangement, passengers will be able to travel from Anand Vihar to Ghaziabad in just eight minutes, while the journey from Ghaziabad to Begumpul will take approximately 28 minutes. The Anand Vihar–Begumpul journey will be completed in just 36 minutes.
The fast trains will cover the entire Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor in less than 50 minutes, offering significant time savings for passengers travelling between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
The initiative comes amid increasing passenger demand on the corridor, where a growing number of commuters are choosing Namo Bharat for daily travel between the National Capital Region and Meerut.
Eight Additional Fast Namo Bharat Services During Peak Hours
NCRTC will introduce eight additional Fast Namo Bharat train services every day, with four services operating during the morning peak hours and four during the evening peak hours.
During the morning rush, two fast trains will depart from each terminal station. Services from Sarai Kale Khan towards Modipuram and from Modipuram towards Sarai Kale Khan will operate at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
Similarly, during the evening peak hours, two trains will depart from each terminal at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM in both directions.
The additional services are specifically designed to reduce journey times for commuters travelling during the busiest periods of the day.
Fast Namo Bharat Train Schedule
| Time | From Sarai Kale Khan | From Modipuram |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 8:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Morning | 8:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Evening | 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Evening | 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
The above timings indicate departures from both terminal stations in their respective directions.
Fast Trains to Stop at Only Five Stations
Unlike regular Namo Bharat services, which serve the stations along the corridor, the new fast trains will operate with limited stoppages to ensure quicker journeys.
These trains will stop at only five major stations:
-
Sarai Kale Khan
-
Anand Vihar
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Ghaziabad
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Begumpul
-
Modipuram
By skipping intermediate stations, NCRTC aims to reduce travel time for passengers undertaking longer journeys between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
Key Journey Times on Fast Namo Bharat Services
| Route | Approximate Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Anand Vihar–Ghaziabad | 8 minutes |
| Ghaziabad–Begumpul | 28 minutes |
| Anand Vihar–Begumpul | 36 minutes |
| Entire corridor | Less than 50 minutes |
The limited-stop arrangement is expected to be particularly beneficial for office-goers, students and other regular passengers who need faster and more predictable travel during morning and evening rush hours.
Regular Namo Bharat Services to Continue Every 10 Minutes
NCRTC has clarified that the introduction of fast trains will not affect the existing regular Namo Bharat train operations.
Regular services will continue to operate at their existing frequency of every 10 minutes. The eight additional fast services will run alongside these regular trains, providing commuters with more travel options during peak hours.
Passengers will therefore have access to both regular and limited-stop services depending on their destinations and travel requirements.
NCRTC has advised commuters to carefully check the electronic display boards installed at stations and listen to platform announcements before boarding. This will help passengers identify whether an arriving train is a Fast Namo Bharat service or a regular train.
The distinction is important because the fast trains will stop at only five designated stations, while regular services will continue to serve the other operational stations along the corridor.
Namo Bharat Ridership Crosses Five Crore Journeys
The introduction of additional fast services comes against the backdrop of steadily increasing ridership on the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.
According to NCRTC, approximately 1.1 lakh passengers are travelling on the corridor every day. The system has recently crossed the milestone of five crore commuter journeys, reflecting the growing acceptance of regional rapid transit among passengers.
The corridor has also recorded strong passenger movement over the past three months, with average monthly ridership exceeding 32 lakh.
The consistent increase in passenger numbers indicates growing demand for faster and more convenient public transport between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
With the introduction of limited-stop services, NCRTC aims to further improve the attractiveness of Namo Bharat for passengers who travel longer distances regularly.
Fast Namo Bharat Services May Encourage Public Transport Use Amid Air Pollution
The introduction of faster regional rail services also assumes significance amid concerns over deteriorating air quality and increasing road congestion across the National Capital Region.
By reducing travel time between major urban centres, NCRTC aims to encourage more commuters to shift from private vehicles to public transport.
The Namo Bharat corridor offers an alternative to road-based travel for passengers commuting between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. Faster services during peak hours could make this option more attractive to office-goers and students, potentially helping reduce dependence on cars and other private vehicles.
The initiative is also expected to improve regional mobility by making daily commuting more time-efficient.
NCRTC Focuses on Faster and More Convenient Regional Connectivity
The launch of Fast Namo Bharat services represents another operational enhancement on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor. With eight additional limited-stop services during peak hours, NCRTC is seeking to address the travel requirements of passengers undertaking longer journeys.
The reduction in travel time between Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad and Begumpul is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters.
With regular trains continuing at 10-minute intervals and additional fast services being introduced from November 16, 2026, passengers will have more options for travelling across the corridor.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, improving commuter convenience and encouraging greater adoption of public transportation across the National Capital Region.
