RRTS – Sarai Kale Khan Station Set for Sunday Opening
RRTS – The much-anticipated Sarai Kale Khan station on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System corridor will finally open to passengers on Sunday, marking a major development for high-speed regional travel in the National Capital Region.
A Key Link in the Delhi–Meerut Corridor
After several postponements over the past year, the Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station is ready to begin operations. Positioned as the largest station along the Delhi–Meerut stretch, the new facility is expected to streamline travel between the capital and western Uttar Pradesh.
Strategically located near Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and the Veer Hakikat Rai Inter-State Bus Terminal at Sarai Kale Khan, the station has been designed to function as a multimodal hub. Passengers will also be able to access the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro, allowing smoother transfers within the city.
To enhance connectivity, authorities have constructed a 280-metre-long foot overbridge equipped with six travelators. This structure directly links the RRTS station to the railway station, significantly improving last-mile movement for commuters carrying luggage or changing transport modes.
Travel Time Gains and Growing Ridership
The Sarai Kale Khan station forms part of the broader Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, which aims to cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour. Once fully operational, the corridor will connect key residential and commercial zones across Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
According to official data available in early 2026, the corridor has recorded more than 22.7 million cumulative passengers. Average daily ridership stands at nearly 53,000, while peak days have seen figures crossing 81,000. Officials say these numbers reflect steady public adoption of the high-speed Namo Bharat trains, which typically cover the Delhi–Meerut distance in about 40 to 50 minutes.
Between Sarai Kale Khan and Begumpul, a total of 11 stations are planned. These include New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar North, Meerut South and Shatabdi Nagar. Two stations — Jangpura in Delhi and Modipuram in Meerut — are yet to open.
Begumpul, located in the busy commercial heart of Meerut, will operate as an underground station serving both Namo Bharat trains and the city’s local metro service. Modipuram station, situated along the national highway, will feature a dedicated foot overbridge to facilitate safe pedestrian access.
Fare Structure Sparks Discussion
While the rapid transit system promises speed and comfort, ticket pricing continues to draw mixed reactions from daily travellers.
A standard class ticket from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South is priced at Rs 150, while the premium class costs Rs 225. From Anand Vihar to Meerut South, fares are Rs 130 for standard class and Rs 195 for premium class. In contrast, a Uttar Pradesh Roadways bus from Anand Vihar to Meerut typically costs around Rs 70, and a passenger train from New Delhi Railway Station may cost as little as Rs 25.
Iqra Siddiqui, a Ghaziabad-based professional who frequently travels to Meerut for work, described the service as efficient but comparatively expensive. She noted that while the air-conditioned coaches and reduced travel time are appealing, the cost may be a consideration for daily commuters weighing alternatives such as buses or conventional trains.
Overall fares across the corridor range from Rs 20 to Rs 150 for standard class and Rs 30 to Rs 225 for premium class, depending on distance travelled.
Delays Before Launch
The opening of Sarai Kale Khan station comes after a series of missed timelines. Last year, the station was initially expected to open in June. The date was later shifted to mid-September and then to the end of September. Despite earlier statements from officials of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation indicating readiness, the inauguration was repeatedly deferred.
With services now scheduled to begin on Sunday, the launch is being viewed as a long-awaited step forward for the ambitious regional rail project. Transport planners believe the station will play a crucial role in integrating rail, metro, and bus networks, strengthening mobility across Delhi and adjoining cities.