NEW DELHI: The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has achieved another major milestone in the operationalization of the Delhi section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.
The Overhead Equipment (OHE) between New Ashok Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan stations has been successfully charged at 25 kV, signifying that the section is now electrified and ready for train operations. Trial runs in this segment are expected to commence soon.
This newly energized stretch spans approximately 4 km and will soon be powered by the Sarai Kale Khan Receiving Substation (RSS). The RSS will receive 66 kV electricity, which will be converted to 25 kV for train operations and 33 kV for powering station utilities. To facilitate this, NCRTC has signed an agreement with Delhi Transco Limited and the Gas Turbine Power Station (GTPS). For now, electricity in this section is being supplied by the Ghaziabad RSS.
A 25 kV high-voltage cable from the RSS feeds the OHE through a network of poles and cantilevers. These overhead wires are specially designed to support the high-speed operations of Namo Bharat trains, capable of running at speeds up to 180 km/h. The OHE system is engineered to efficiently handle both high-speed travel and frequent services.
Currently, Namo Bharat trains are operating between Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar in the 14 km-long Delhi section. With Sarai Kale Khan station nearing completion, trial runs on the newly charged segment are likely to begin shortly.
Sarai Kale Khan is one of the most significant stations on the corridor. It will serve as the central hub for operations across all three priority corridors of Phase-1. The station is equipped with four tracks and six platforms—the highest among all stations on the route. Designed for smooth passenger flow, it features five entry/exit gates, multiple staircases, 14 lifts, and 18 escalators. The station spans 215 meters in length, 50 meters in width, and stands 15 meters tall, ensuring effective crowd management. At present, trains are running between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South, covering 11 stations along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor.