“Namo Bharat Train is defining the new journey of New India and its new resolutions.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on launch of Namo Bharat Train.

Over two decades ago, on December 24, 2002, the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, inaugurated the first section of the Delhi Metro. The Red Line connected Shahdara and Tis Hazari, beginning a transformative journey. Today, the Delhi Metro boasts 288 stations, a network length of nearly 400 kilometres, and twelve lines, and is an artery for the National Capital Region (NCR) economy.

Fast forward to October 20, 2023, when history repeated itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), covering five stations across 17 kilometres. The inauguration will pave the way for further expansion, mirroring the growth of the Delhi Metro.

The RRTS, known as Namo Bharat, transcends a mere transportation project. Its implications extend beyond connectivity, promising to reshape the urban landscape and drive economic development in the National Capital Region (NCR). In its first phase, covering Meerut, Panipat, and Alwar, the RRTS will span over 8,000 square kilometres and eclipse the Delhi Metro's current coverage of around 3,500 square kilometres.

The subsequent phases will include the Delhi-Palwal, Delhi-Khurja, Delhi-Rohtak, Delhi-Baraut, and Ghaziabad-Hapur routes and will expand the coverage of RRTS to over 25,000 square kilometres. This ambitious RRTS project will give a huge boost to connectivity and even redefine the region's urban landscape and economic activity.

The RRTS will decongest the national capital, enhance and improve the commutation experience, and make distant areas in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan accessible to the NCR. It will also become an enabler of employment opportunities, particularly for women.

The economic consequences of the RRTS are manifold. It is poised to alleviate the real estate sector's inflation in the NCR as people gravitate towards suburbs, driven by concerns like air pollution, water scarcity, and traffic congestion. The RRTS coverage area presents an opportunity for local bodies, supported by state governments, to capitalize on real and commercial estate development, create special economic zones for industries, and establish tourist hubs. For instance, an RRTS station in Murthal in Haryana can transform into a significant tourist destination, capitalizing on its proximity to Delhi and renowned food joints.


Like the successful model of the Delhi Metro, monetization strategies will be a priority for the National Capital Region Transportation Corporation (NCRTC). Stations, coaches (RAPIDX), and surrounding spaces can be leveraged for revenue generation, turning the DMRC and NCRTC into transportation entities and real estate players.


The impact it will have on the region's economy and urban landscape will unfold in the coming years, solidifying its status as a pivotal infrastructure project of the decade.

As the RRTS takes its first step, it prompts a reevaluation of how governments approach urbanization at the center and state levels. In fact, the Modi government's focus has shifted from overcrowded cities to expanded suburbs, encompassing towns and smaller cities. Key economic hubs are expected to be retained as work destinations, fostering a balanced approach for sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and urban expansion.

Perhaps, as Namo Bharat's RRTS sets a precedent, other major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru can also contemplate similar regional rapid transit systems. It is a timely consideration, aligning with the needs of the ambitious ten-trillion-dollar economy target by 2035. The success of the RRTS could serve as a blueprint for fostering sustainable urbanization and economic prosperity in rapidly growing regions across the country.

Since 2014, Modi has stressed improving the urban landscape and lifestyle. With projects like the Namo Bharat Trains, metros in cities, and, more recently, the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, the Modi government has been delivering on its promises, one project at a time. This ensures ease of living for millions of city residents and creates more suburban opportunities.

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PM Modi’s Vision Fuels Delhi’s Development
April 12, 2024

“Delhi has the good fortune to get an opportunity of keeping the flag of nations' prestige flying high.”
- PM Narendra Modi as Delhi prepared to host the G20 Summit

The last ten years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have set in motion the creation of a New India—from rural to urban, from water to electricity, from houses to health, from education to employment, from castes to classes—a comprehensive plan bringing growth and prosperity to each doorstep.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has emerged as a pivotal part of this dynamic developmental momentum spearheaded by PM Modi throughout this transformative decade.

The city has been at the heart of the infrastructural shift that has given a dedicated facelift to the entire nation. Today infrastructural marvels like Atal Setu, Chenab Bridge, Statue of Unity, and Zojila Tunnel dot India’s ever-evolving landscape.

With its focus on revamping transportation networks, upgrading urban amenities, and expanding digital infrastructure, the Modi government has launched an array of transformative initiatives. From railways, highways to airports, these initiatives have been key in galvanising inclusive and sustainable development across the length and breadth of the country.

The impressive expansion of the metro rail network has revolutionised urban commuting in India. From a mere 5 cities in 2014, the metro rail network now serves 21 cities across the nation—expanding from 248 km in 2014 to 945 km by 2024, with 919 km of lines under construction in 26 additional cities.

The Union Cabinet has recently approved two new corridors of Delhi Metro Phase-IV—Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha. Both the lines have a combined length of over 20 kms with a project cost of over Rs. 8,000 crore (funding being sourced from the Union Govt, Govt of Delhi, and international agencies). The Inderlok- Indraprastha line will play a significant role in enhancing connectivity to the Bahadurgarh region of Haryana. Additionally, India’s first Namo Bharat train, operating on the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor further underlines the Modi government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and upgrading its transportation infrastructure.

Further, the Bharatmala Pariyojana envisages improved logistics efficiency and connectivity via the development of nearly 35,000 km of National Highway corridors. 25 greenfield high-speed corridors have been planned under the plan out of which four intersect with Delhi’s growing infra capacity: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, and the Urban Extension Road-II. The total project length sanctioned for Delhi is 203 km with an allocation of over Rs. 18,000 crore.

Over the past decade, the Modi government has consistently dedicated efforts towards augmenting capacity and decongestion of airports. After the IGI Airport Delhi became the first airport in the country to have four runways and an elevated taxiway, the expanded state-of-the-art Terminal 1 has also been inaugurated recently. In addition, the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar) shall further contribute to decongestion of the Delhi airport which is serving millions of passengers annually.

Besides, the inauguration of the New Parliament has further added civilisational yet modern connotations to the city’s landscape. Inauguration of the Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre) has given Delhi India’s largest convention and exhibition centre, offering a mixed purpose tourism experience. Along with Yashobhoomi, the Bharat Mandapam, a world-class convention and exhibition centre, showcases India to the world.

In terms of welfare, the Modi government has launched several schemes benefitting people hitherto on the margins of growth and development. Women’s safety in Delhi has been a key concern. To address the same, the Modi government strengthened the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 by increasing the quantum of punishment for rape, including capital punishment for rape of a girlchild below the age of 12.

The Union Home Ministry established a separate Women Safety Division back in 2018. One-stop centers, Sakhi Niwas, Safe City Project, Nirbhaya Fund, SHe-Box, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, and Cri-MAC (Crime Multi-Agency Center) among others are significant additions in the government’s campaign towards women safety.

In addition, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have further led to the empowerment of Nari Shakti in India.

As India becomes the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, Delhi is also contributing significantly towards this development. Today over 13,000 DPIIT-recognised startups are functioning in Delhi even as the government is promoting self-employment through PM MUDRA Yojana with over 2.3 lakh loans sanctioned worth over Rs. 3,000 crore for FY2023-24 (as on 26.01.2024).

PM SVANidhi, which provides collateral free loans to street vendors, is supporting over 1.67 lakh beneficiaries in Delhi. Further, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, launched in 2020 to incentivise employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic, over 2.2 lakh employees benefitted in Delhi.

Further, nearly 30,000 houses have been sanctioned and completed in Delhi under PM Awas Yojana (Urban).

Air pollution has been a recurring problem for the people of Delhi. Conscious of this reality, the central government has launched the National Clean Air Programme as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution level across the country.

The Modi government's tenure over the last decade has brought about a remarkable transformation in Delhi across various fronts. From infrastructure development to governance reforms, from education to employment, the government's initiatives have left an indelible mark on the capital city. As Delhi continues on its journey of progress and development, the contributions of the Modi government are set to shape its future trajectory for years to come.