Delhi–Meerut RRTS launch on October 20: Sahibabad to Duhai Depot route explained
The Prime Minister’s Office says the 17-km priority section from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot will be inaugurated on October 20, marking the launch of India’s RRTS network.
India’s Regional Rapid Transit System is set for a major public launch on October 20, 2026. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the priority section of the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut corridor will be inaugurated at Sahibabad RapidX station, followed by the flag-off of a RapidX train connecting Sahibabad with Duhai Depot.
What opens in the first phase
The first inaugurated section is 17 km long. It connects Sahibabad with Duhai Depot and includes stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai on the way. This is a priority section, not the full Delhi-to-Meerut corridor; the wider project will continue through Ghaziabad, Muradnagar and Modinagar towards Meerut.
The official note says the complete Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut corridor is being developed at a cost of more than ₹30,000 crore. Its long-term aim is to connect Delhi and Meerut in less than an hour, but commuters should not assume that the full end-to-end journey becomes available on the inaugural day.
How RRTS differs from a city metro
RRTS is designed for regional travel between major urban centres rather than short city trips alone. The system is planned as a semi-high-speed, high-frequency service with a design speed of 180 kmph. The PMO says trains can operate every 15 minutes and may reach a five-minute frequency when demand requires it.
The network is also planned around multimodal connections with railway stations, metro systems and buses. For daily travellers, the value will depend on the interchange walk, feeder services, ticket integration and the final connection from a RapidX station to work or home.
What passengers should verify
Before planning a journey around the event, check the operating date, public access notice, fare, first and last train, and the exact station entrance. Launch-day security arrangements can also affect roads and station access. A ceremonial inauguration and regular commercial availability are related but separate milestones.
The October 20 announcement comes from the Prime Minister’s Office. This article separates the 17-km priority opening from the future full-corridor travel promise so that commuters can plan from the actual service map.