New Delhi: Meerut Metro will be the fastest such system in the country from Sunday at a maximum operational speed of 120kmph, the same as Airport Express Line in Delhi, the fast metro corridor for a smooth link to IGI Airport. The Meerut Metro services will also run on the same tracks and infrastructure as the semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains.The Airport Express Line became the fastest metro in the country in Sept 2023. Initially it ran at 90 kmph and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation gradually increased the speed in phases over six months. The average speed of Delhi Metro trains on regular lines is around 75kmph.
The 24.9km Airport Express Line with seven stations takes 21 minutes from New Delhi to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25, while the travel time from Shivaji Stadium to IGI Airport Terminal 3 is 15 minutes. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the 21km Meerut Metro with 12 stations on Sunday, the distance from Meerut South to Modipuram will be covered in 30 minutes.A special Meerut Metro train carrying journalists ran from Begumpul to South Meerut on Friday. It ran on the rapid rail tracks, and both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro trains were parked in front of each other. “The same infrastructure will provide the commuter with swift change from one train to the other without causing any discomfort and make the travel experience comfortable,” said an official.Meerut Metro consists of three-car train sets with ergonomically designed 2×2 transverse and longitudinal seating arrangements, with comfortable cushioned seats. More than 700 passengers can travel in a train, with a seating capacity of 173. The coaches are airconditioned, with luggage racks, grab handles, CCTV cameras, USB mobile charging facilities and dynamic route maps among other conveniences. There will be a reserved seating arrangement in each coach for women and senior citizens.
