Namo Bharat fast trains will begin operating on the Delhi–Meerut corridor from 16 November 2026, cutting peak-hour travel times between selected stations and adding limited-stop services during the morning and evening commuter rush. The new trains will run in addition to the existing regular Namo Bharat services, according to information attributed to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The fast services will stop at only five stations: Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad, Begumpul and Modipuram. The limited-stop pattern is designed to reduce journey times for passengers travelling longer distances between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
During peak hours, the journey from Anand Vihar to Ghaziabad is expected to take eight minutes, while Anand Vihar to Begumpul will take 36 minutes. The trip from Ghaziabad to Begumpul will take 28 minutes. The full corridor journey is expected to be completed in less than 50 minutes, based on the timings reported for the new services.
The trains will operate in both directions during the morning and evening peaks. From Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram and from Modipuram to Sarai Kale Khan, two fast trains in each direction are scheduled to depart at 8 am and 8.30 am in the morning. In the evening, services in both directions are scheduled for 6 pm and 6.30 pm.
The new trains will not replace the existing regular Namo Bharat services. Regular trains will continue to be available at 10-minute intervals, while the fast services will provide additional options for passengers travelling between the selected major stations. This distinction will be important for commuters whose destinations are not included in the limited-stop route.
The introduction of a separate fast service adds a new operating layer to the corridor. Passengers boarding at stations served by both services will need to identify whether the arriving train is a fast or regular service before entering. NCRTC has advised passengers to check station display boards and listen to platform announcements before boarding.
The service change comes as the number of passengers travelling between Meerut and Delhi continues to grow, according to the report. By concentrating the additional trains on peak-hour departures and major stations, the operator is targeting the parts of the corridor where longer-distance commuter demand is most concentrated.
For passengers travelling to intermediate stations outside the five-stop fast route, regular Namo Bharat trains will remain necessary. The reported schedule also means that the principal benefit of the new service will be concentrated in the morning and evening peak periods rather than across the entire day.
The fast trains are scheduled to start operations on 16 November 2026. NCRTC’s station displays and platform announcements will provide the operational information passengers need to distinguish the new services from regular Namo Bharat trains.
