Namo Bharat corridor crosses 5 crore trips, last 1 crore in just 93 days

Namo Bharat, the country's first train offering fast, modern travel between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut, has reached a major milestone. Total trips on the corridor have gone past 5 crore. The latest 1 crore trips were recorded in just 93 days, pointing to the train's fast-growing popularity among commuters in Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh.

According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), Namo Bharat operations began on October 21, 2023, on an initial 17-km stretch between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot. Ridership rose steadily afterwards. The first 1 crore trips were completed on May 16, 2025, 574 days after operations began.

The 2 crore mark was reached on December 11, 2025, in 211 days. The 3 crore mark followed on May 2, 2026, in 143 days, and 4 crore on August 10, 2026, in just 101 days. On November 10, 2026, total trips crossed 5 crore, with the last 1 crore added in only 93 days. The total, which stood at 2 crore in December 2025, reached 5 crore by November 2026.

Recent monthly figures are also notable. In August 2026, the corridor recorded 35.25 lakh trips, with an average of 1,13,708 passengers a day. On August 28, 1,68,666 passengers travelled, the highest number in a single day so far.

In September there were 32.41 lakh trips, with a daily average of 1,08,043 passengers. In October, 33.49 lakh trips were recorded, against a daily average of 1,08,049 passengers. Over 32 lakh trips a month for three straight months is seen as a sign of Namo Bharat's growing popularity.

The train's speed, air-conditioned coaches, regular service and links with other public transport are building passenger confidence. Daily commuters between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut travelling for work, study, business and other purposes are benefiting greatly. It has also proved a good option during road congestion and bad weather.

Namo Bharat is connected with the Delhi Metro, Indian Railways, inter-state bus terminals and city bus services. Meerut Metro also began operations on February 22, 2026, along with the full Namo Bharat corridor. This has made travel easier both within cities and between them.

The Prime Minister has also praised the corridor. He specifically mentioned the completion of the project on schedule, the operating speed of 160 km per hour and timetable adherence of over 99 per cent. The corridor also recently won an award at the Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2026 in Bhubaneswar.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal presented NCRTC with the "Best Commuter Services and Satisfaction" award for the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. The 5 crore trips figure is not merely a rise in numbers; it is seen as a sign of the public's response to a modern public transport system.