Namo Bharat services on the Delhi–Meerut corridor will run 32 additional trips on 11 November to manage the expected rise in travel during Bhai Dooj, according to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). The additional services are intended to offer trains at intervals of less than 10 minutes and reduce passenger waiting time.
The enhanced timetable is aimed at people travelling to meet sisters, relatives and other family members during the festival. NCRTC expects road traffic to increase as families travel across Delhi and the wider National Capital Region. This year, Bhai Dooj falls on a Wednesday, meaning festive travel will overlap with movement by office-goers and daily commuters.
According to the report, the 32 additional trips will increase seat availability on the corridor and provide passengers with a faster and more convenient alternative to private vehicles. The shorter interval between trains is also expected to help distribute demand during a period when road congestion is likely to rise.
NCRTC had already been operating 20 additional Namo Bharat trips to encourage public transport use amid concerns over air pollution in Delhi and the NCR. The number of extra trips will be increased to 32 for Bhai Dooj. The corporation said the higher frequency would support smoother passenger movement during the festival period.
The Delhi–Meerut corridor is designed to connect key urban centres across the NCR through a regional rail service. During major festivals, demand on such corridors can rise sharply as residents travel between cities and suburban areas. The additional operations place the immediate focus on service frequency and passenger capacity rather than on new infrastructure or route expansion.
The decision also links festive mobility with the region’s continuing air-quality concerns. NCRTC’s stated objective is to encourage passengers to choose public transport instead of private vehicles, thereby reducing dependence on cars and two-wheelers for inter-city and regional journeys. The report said the corporation expects the expanded service to contribute to efforts to control pollution, although no specific reduction estimate was provided.
Passengers using the corridor on 11 November will therefore have access to more frequent services, with the interval between trains expected to remain below 10 minutes. NCRTC’s additional trips will remain the operational measure announced for managing the anticipated Bhai Dooj travel surge.
