When one thinks of India’s fastest trains, names like Rajdhani and Shatabdi traditionally come to mind. However, the title now belongs to Namo Bharat, running on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, making it the country’s fastest train. Operating at a top speed of 160 kmph, Namo Bharat surpasses all other trains currently in service.

Previously, Gatimaan Express, launched in 2016 between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra, was India’s first semi-high-speed train operating at 160 kmph, followed by the Vande Bharat trains with similar speeds.

However, in June 2024, the Ministry of Railways reduced the top speed of all trains on the Indian Railways network to 130 kmph, giving Namo Bharat the edge as the fastest train in the country.

Currently, 30 Namo Bharat trains run between New Ashok Nagar (East Delhi) and Meerut South (Uttar Pradesh) with six coaches each and a frequency of one train every 15 minutes. On some sections of the route, trains achieve the peak speed of 160 kmph.

According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC), the entire corridor will span 82.15 km with 16 stations, connecting Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.

Once the full corridor is operational, the Namo Bharat service will allow passengers to travel from Delhi to Meerut in under one hour with stops at all stations.

The project aims to cut travel time drastically, improve regional connectivity, and provide a world-class commuting experience. NCRTC officials have indicated that the entire corridor will be commissioned soon.