TBM Staff - Mumbai The proposed 72.4 km high-speed “Namo Bharat” rail project, intended to connect Jewar Airport with Ghaziabad, faces revisions as the Central Government returns the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for amendments. The Uttar Pradesh Government has directed the NCR Planning Board to address concerns regarding station placements, route alignment, and cost feasibility for public benefit.
Originally approved by the Uttar Pradesh Government, the Rs 20,763 crore project included 22 strategically located stations. However, the Central Government flagged key changes, recommending station optimisation in less populated areas to reduce costs and integrate the line with existing metro services. The NCR Planning Board is revising the framework to resolve objections and align the project for better accessibility and efficiency.
To accelerate progress, the project will now execute its two phases simultaneously. The first phase, covering 39.39 km from Siddharth Nagar in Ghaziabad to Sector Ecotech-6, and the second phase, a 32.9 km extension to Jewar Airport, will be built concurrently. Once completed, the Namo Bharat train will operate at speeds of 140 km/h, serving over 3.09 lakh passengers daily by 2031, with projected ridership growing to 7 lakh in subsequent years.
Meanwhile, a 14.6 km monorail route connecting Jewar Airport to Film City is progressing. Siemens has been assigned to prepare the DPR, transitioning from an earlier light metro proposal. The report is expected within two months, offering a fresh blueprint for enhanced public transport in the region.
