The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $299 million loan as the final tranche of financing for the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), India’s flagship urban transport project in the National Capital Region (NCR). With this tranche, ADB’s total support under the multi-tranche financing facility, approved in 2020, now stands at $1.05 billion.
The 82-kilometer Delhi–Meerut RRTS is the first of three priority corridors under development in the NCR. Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut from over three hours to just one, significantly boosting regional mobility. As of August 2025, 55 kilometers of the corridor, including 11 stations connecting New Ashok Nagar in Delhi to Meerut South, are already operational.
“This project marks a transformative step in India’s urban transport landscape,” said Mio Oka, ADB Country Director for India. “It not only enhances mobility but also promotes inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and is expected to serve as a model for future regional rapid transit systems across India and the Asia-Pacific region.”
Beyond financing, ADB has provided technical expertise in areas such as building information modeling, resilience planning, and value capture financing. The system is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 258,000 tons and drive polycentric urban development across the NCR. With trains designed to run at speeds of up to 180 km/h and intervals of 5–10 minutes, the RRTS will deliver safe, high-capacity, and reliable commuter services.
The ADB loan is complemented by cofinancing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific. The project is being executed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
When completed, the Delhi–Meerut RRTS will stand as a benchmark for sustainable, high-speed regional transit in India, setting the foundation for future rapid transit networks nationwide.
