The Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat station in Delhi is ready for operations and will act as a central hub for three major Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors. Trial runs have been completed and the final decision on opening the station to the public now rests with the state government, a TOI report stated.

“The final touches are being given to the station,” said an official from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is building the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. The Sarai Kale Khan hub will connect RRTS with the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the Veer Haqeeqat Rai inter-state bus terminal, and city bus services.

“The Namo Bharat station here has been designed in a way to ensure seamless integration with all modes of public transport,” the official added.

Seamless connectivity with multiple modes

A skywalk has been built to link the RRTS station with Nizamuddin Railway Station and the metro. Gate No. 4 will provide access to Ring Road. A pedestrian bridge with travellators connects the station to the railway station and the skywalk, helping passengers and pedestrians move safely and quickly across the transport hub.

The station includes designated areas for pick-up and drop-off by buses and four-wheelers. A separate drop-off zone beneath the station box can hold over 40 vehicles. There is also a 5.5-metre-wide lane for taxis and a 7.5-metre-wide lane for city buses. Parking is available for 275 cars and 900 two-wheelers.

Improved safety and accessibility

“Over the years, passengers at Sarai Kale Khan have faced difficulties while changing between the different modes of transport, encountering heavy crowds, disorderly traffic, and considerable distances to reach other transport facilities,” the official explained.

“The elderly, women, and children among the travellers frequently encounter risks to their safety when crossing busy roads. This situation has led many to opt for personal vehicles, resulting in traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and extended journey durations. As a consequence, the efficiency of public transport networks is reduced. The skywalk and drop-off zones design will, therefore, ensure seamless connectivity for pedestrians to all transport terminals in the vicinity.”

Largest station on the RRTS corridor

Sarai Kale Khan is the largest station in the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. It has six platforms and four tracks for Namo Bharat trains. To manage high footfall, NCRTC has built five entry and exit gates, along with multiple staircases, lifts and escalators. The station is 215 metres long, 50 metres wide and 15 metres high, with 14 lifts and 18 escalators. Universal access has been provided at all points.

Key link for future RRTS corridors

This station will also serve as the point of convergence for all three RRTS corridors being developed under Phase 1 — Delhi-Panipat-Karnal, Delhi-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut. “This interoperability will allow passengers to travel between corridors without changing trains,” the official said.

Currently, Namo Bharat services operate between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Meerut South. The entire 82-km-long corridor is nearly complete and expected to open soon.

“Namo Bharat is fast emerging as the preferred and reliable mode of transit for commuters across the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. Offering a safe, fast, and convenient travel experience in every season, Namo Bharat is steadily gaining the trust of passengers seeking efficient regional connectivity. This growing confidence is reflected in the consistent increase in ridership, recently crossing the milestone of 1.25 crore rides,” the official added.