PM Modi showed the green flag to the 'Namo Bharat' train connecting Sahibabad and Duhai Depot stations, marking launch of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India. The train can run at a speed of 180 km per hour

The prime minister was also seen interacting with the passengers and the crew of the train

The inauguration ceremony took place at Sahibabad station of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor, which once fully completed, will reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to a little less than an hour

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were present at the ceremony

India's first semi-high-speed regional rail service, whose trains are equipped with hi-tech features and a number of passenger amenities, will be opened for passengers from October 21

The services will begin at 6 am and run till 11 pm, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) officials earlier said

The priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot has five stations -- Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. The segment from Duhai to Duhai Depot is a spur from the main corridor

The under-construction RRTS Corridor, being built for the semi-high-speed regional rail service by the NCRTC, is a joint venture company of the Centre with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh

The NCRTC has been tasked to oversee the construction of India's first RRTS, between Delhi and Meerut

The entire 82.15 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS is targeted to be operational by June 2025