Indian Railways is one of the five largest railway networks in the world. It plays a major role in connecting cities, towns, and villages across the country, making travel easier and more convenient for millions of people.
For many years, trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi were known as India’s fastest trains. However, the title of the country’s fastest train now belongs to the Namo Bharat train.
The Namo Bharat train runs at a top speed of 160 kmph and connects Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It operates on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and offers passengers a modern and comfortable travel experience.
Unlike traditional express trains, Namo Bharat runs on a dedicated high-speed corridor. This makes it the fastest train service in India at present.
Earlier, in 2016, the Gatimaan Express became India’s first semi-high-speed train, running at 160 kmph between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra. Later, Vande Bharat trains also reached the same speed. However, in June 2024, the Ministry of Railways reduced the maximum speed of trains on the Indian Railways network to 130 kmph. As a result, Namo Bharat remains the fastest train in operation today.
Namo Bharat routes and services
Currently, around 30 Namo Bharat trains are running between New Ashok Nagar in east Delhi and Meerut South in Uttar Pradesh. Each train has six coaches and runs every 15 minutes from each station. On some parts of the route, the train reaches its top speed of 160 kmph for short durations.
According to officials from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC), the full corridor will stretch 82.15 km and include 16 stations, connecting Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
A game-changer for Delhi-Meerut travel
Once the entire corridor is completed, Namo Bharat will connect Delhi and Meerut in less than one hour, even while stopping at all stations. Officials say the service will greatly reduce travel time, improve connectivity, and offer world-class comfort to daily commuters.
‘The entire 82.15 km corridor from Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram is expected to be commissioned soon,’ NCRTC officials said.
