The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has officially opened commercial spaces for lease across the high-profile Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor, which has now commenced operations. This initiative provides entrepreneurs, retail brands, and local businesses with prime locations offering guaranteed footfall. The commercial spaces are strategically located within station premises, allowing businesses to set up shops, cafés, convenience stores, and service kiosks directly inside the transit hubs. Through this initiative, NCRTC aims to develop station complexes into vibrant commercial hubs by encouraging participation from local vendors, entrepreneurs, traders, and service providers, creating new employment opportunities and boosting local economic activity while contributing towards enhancing non-fare revenue for NCRTC.
At Sarai Kale Khan Station, NCRTC is offering approximately 818 square meters (~8,800 sq. ft.) across 8 locations on the ground floor. As reported by Zee News, the station serves as a massive multi-modal transport hub connecting the Namo Bharat train with Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station via a 280-meter foot overbridge, Veer Haqiqat Rai ISBT, Delhi Metro Pink Line, and Ring Road. The available shop sizes range from compact 17 square meter units to large 247 square meter flagship spaces, with lease periods extending from 9 to 15 years. These spaces can be used for a variety of commuter-focused facilities such as food outlets, cafes, convenience stores, service kiosks, and other retail purposes, with availability of such integrated facilities within the station footprint saving time for commuters and making their journeys safer, more comfortable and convenient.
Between Partapur and Modipuram stations, NCRTC is opening 13 commercial locations across 8 key stations. According to Zee News, the stations included are Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Bhaisali, MES Colony, Daurali, Meerut North, and Modipuram. The available shop sizes range from pocket spaces starting from 14 square meters up to 128 square meters, with lease periods of 9 years for this stretch. Under this initiative, commercial spaces at 13 identified locations across these 8 stations will be allotted to selected partners for a licence period of 9 years, with these spaces including both 'bare' and 'built-up' (with existing infrastructure) units. These outlets will cater to the daily needs of residents living in the vicinity of the stations, with the Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro stations in Meerut being near densely populated areas.
The commercial initiative targets businesses that enhance passenger experience and convenience. As reported by Zee News, permitted businesses include food and beverage outlets, quick-service restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, daily-need groceries, service centers, retail stores, and innovative 'pod services' at Sarai Kale Khan. The combined daily footfall of Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro services registers approximately one lakh (1,00,000) commuters, providing substantial business potential for commercial outlets within station footprints. With the steadily increasing commuter footfall on the corridor, these stations provide high visibility among daily commuters, residents, and the public, making them attractive locations for commercial ventures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 82-km-long Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) on February 22, 2026, flagging off the 5 km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, the 21 km stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram, and the metro section from Shatabdi Nagar station in Meerut South to Modipuram. The Delhi-Meerut RRTS features smart ticket vending machines and QR code-based ticketing, ensuring quick and convenient cashless travel, with six platforms built for future expansion enabling integration with proposed Delhi-Alwar and Delhi-Karnal Rapid Rail Corridors. The Meerut Metro, which runs parallel to the RRTS at many points, is India's fastest metro with a maximum operating speed of approximately 120 kmph, covering the entire route in approximately 30 minutes - marking the first time in India that both the Namo Bharat Train and the Metro will run on the same track built for the RRTS.
Interested parties can participate through the electronic tendering process via the e-tendering portal. According to Zee News, the Sarai Kale Khan bid deadline is June 17, 2026, while the Meerut bid deadline is June 22, 2026. Complete information regarding eligibility criteria, tender documents, terms and conditions, and specific timelines is available on NCRTC's official website at ncrtc.in and the Central Public Procurement Portal at etenders.gov.in.
