Last Updated:
India’s first RRTS corridor, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut route, is transforming urban mobility. The Namo Bharat Train has cut travel time and boosted property prices by up to 67%
The Meerut Development Authority has earmarked over 3,200 hectares under its 2031 master plan for TOD, of which 2,442 hectares are dedicated to TOD zones and special development regions (PTI Photo)
India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor – the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut route – is on the cusp of becoming fully operational, bringing with it a transformative wave for urban mobility and real estate. The semi-high-speed Namo Bharat Train, currently operational on a 55-kilometre stretch, has already reduced the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour. But its impact goes far beyond convenience; it’s rapidly reshaping the property market along its path.
Since the phased launch of the corridor in October 2023, land and property prices near RRTS stations have surged, particularly in Meerut and Ghaziabad. Data suggests an increase ranging from 30% to a staggering 67% in several areas. In Meerut, land that once cost Rs 8,000 – Rs 12,000 per square yard is now priced at Rs 12,000 – Rs 20,000, with properties within a 2-km radius of the stations witnessing an average hike of 50% in just two years.
The sharp escalation in demand is being attributed to the vastly improved connectivity with Delhi and the streamlined urban infrastructure emerging around the transit line. Plotted developments, gated townships, and mid-rise apartment complexes are seeing a surge in interest, with developers reporting brisk sales.
“The rise in property prices is not a short-term spike,” said Pritam Mishra, Senior Vice President at Paras Buildtech. The RRTS has fundamentally altered the market dynamics, boosting demand for both residential and commercial real estate, he added.
This boom is part of a larger urban planning vision. According to NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goyal, the RRTS aims to promote polycentric development across the National Capital Region (NCR), reducing pressure on Delhi while enabling growth in satellite towns. The strategy heavily leans on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), an approach designed to create walkable, sustainable, and economically vibrant communities around transit hubs.
In Meerut, this vision is already taking shape. The Meerut Development Authority has earmarked over 3,200 hectares under its 2031 master plan for TOD, of which 2,442 hectares are dedicated to TOD zones and special development regions. These areas will benefit from dual access to the RRTS and the upcoming Meerut Metro, making them prime targets for future urban expansion.
Commercial property is seeing its own upswing. Plans are underway to establish integrated townships, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions near key transit points. Santosh Agarwal, Executive Director at Alpha Corp, noted that the combination of affordable land, improved infrastructure, and growing demand is attracting business enterprises, tech startups, and professionals to Ghaziabad and Meerut like never before.
Ghaziabad, in particular, is fast emerging as the NCR’s next real estate hotspot. According to PropEquity CEO Sameer Jasuja, “The Delhi-Meerut RRTS is reshaping how and where they live.” He highlighted that home launch prices in Ghaziabad have doubled in the past five years, driven by projects from top-tier developers including Bengaluru-based Prestige Group, which recently entered the Ghaziabad market.
Despite a broader national slowdown in property markets during the second quarter of 2025, Delhi-NCR, particularly Ghaziabad, has defied the trend, fuelled by robust launches and sustained buyer interest around the RRTS corridor.
- First Published:
