India’s fastest metro network is now on track and stainless steel is at its core. Recently, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System corridor, introducing lightweight stainless steel trains designed for speed, strength and sustainability. Could this mark a new chapter for modern rail travel in India?

Stainless steel takes centre stage

The fully air-conditioned three-coach Meerut Metro trains have been built using lightweight stainless steel, making them more energy efficient and durable. The material reduces overall weight, improves performance, and supports lower energy consumption, a crucial step towards greener public transport.

Each train can carry over 700 passengers and includes 173 seats, with reserved spaces for women, senior citizens and differently abled commuters. Features such as regenerative braking, CCTV surveillance, USB charging ports and modern automation systems further enhance safety and comfort.

Running along a 21 km corridor with 12 stations, the metro will complete the full stretch in around 30 minutes. With a top speed of 120 kmph, it is expected to be India’s fastest metro service.

A high-speed corridor on shared tracks

The Meerut Metro operates on the same infrastructure as the high-speed Namo Bharat system, a first in the country. While the metro runs at 120 kmph, Namo Bharat trains are designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph.

The 82 km Delhi Meerut corridor includes a 14 km stretch in Delhi and 68 km in Uttar Pradesh. The project aims to reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, easing congestion and lowering carbon emissions.

A boost for connectivity and development

At the inauguration in Meerut, the Prime Minister flagged off the remaining sections of the corridor and also dedicated development projects worth nearly Rs 12,930 crore to the nation.

He described the launch as a significant step towards stronger connectivity and faster infrastructure delivery, noting that inaugurating both rapid rail and metro services from the same platform reflects the scale of modern transport development in Uttar Pradesh.

After the ceremony, he travelled on the metro to Meerut South station, marking the beginning of a new stainless steel-powered era in regional mobility.