MEERUT, India — Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Meerut Metro on Sunday, spotlighting the central Uttar Pradesh city’s new rail link as India’s fastest. The 20-km corridor from Meerut South to Modipuram hits operational speeds up to 80 km/h, outpacing Delhi Metro’s top average of 35 km/h.

Modi boarded the inaugural train at Modipuram, traveling to Meerut South station shortly before 1 p.m. Crowds lined the tracks as the train glided through elevated sections and a key tunnel under the Upper Ganga Canal. Officials hailed the route’s design for quick urban connectivity, slashing travel time across Meerut from over an hour by road to just 25 minutes.

Besides the metro, Modi revealed projects totaling Rs 12,930 crore ($1.55 billion). These include a medical college, 100-bed hospital upgrades, and electrification for 46 railway stations across five districts. He also dedicated the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System’s priority section, linking the satellite city to the capital in under 90 minutes.

The Meerut Metro, part of the National Capital Region’s expansion, features driverless trains with advanced signaling. Construction began in 2019 under a Rs 5,677 crore public-private partnership. Engineers equipped the line with European Train Control System Level 2, enabling high-speed runs on straightaways.

Local leaders praised the launch. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called it a ‘game-changer for regional mobility.’ Meerut Mayor Munesh Kumar Gupta noted daily ridership projections of 50,000 passengers, easing chronic traffic jams on NH-58.

Modi’s visit capped a busy schedule. He arrived by helicopter from Delhi, addressed a public rally at the metro depot, and inspected the operations control center. The prime minister emphasized infrastructure’s role in India’s growth, saying the projects would create 25,000 jobs over the next five years, according to his office.

Meerut, 70 km northeast of Delhi, gains from the metro’s integration with the RRTS. Commuters can now transfer smoothly at Meerut South for express services to New Delhi. The line’s six elevated stations—Shatabdi Nagar, Begum Bridge, South Civil Lines, All Saints Cathedral, and Vivekanand Dwar—serve key commercial hubs.

Challenges marked the rollout. Delays from the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the opening from 2023. Safety trials wrapped up last month, with the trainset clocking 100 km/h in tests. The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation confirmed full commercial operations start Monday, with fares from Rs 10 to Rs 60.

Environmental features drew notice. Solar panels power 20% of stations, and rainwater harvesting systems operate at all stops. Officials said the metro cuts carbon emissions by 25,000 tons annually versus equivalent road traffic.

The event unfolded under tight security, with thousands gathering despite midday heat. Modi waved from the train’s balcony, greeting supporters. His speech highlighted Meerut’s industrial heritage—from scissors manufacturing to sports goods—tying it to modern transit upgrades.

As Modi departed for Delhi by late afternoon, the metro began trial runs. Residents tested the air-conditioned coaches, snapping photos inside the sleek interiors. One commuter, Rajesh Kumar, said it beat buses hands down.

The launch boosts Modi’s infrastructure push ahead of state elections. Uttar Pradesh officials project the metro expanding to 32 km by 2025, reaching Meerut’s North end.