NCRTC Signs MoU with Blue Dart to Explore Express Parcel Movement through Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor
Meerut .
NCRTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Dart Express Limited today, to explore how Namo Bharat services on the Delhi-Meerut corridor can complement Blue Dart’s existing pickup and delivery network for movement of express parcels across the National Capital Region (NCR). Under this initiative, the two organisations will study the operational requirements, expected parcel volumes, station facilities and other aspects to assess the feasibility of the proposed service. The objective of this MoU is to develop a Sustainable Logistics Solution for Urban Cargo Transport (E-Commerce consignments and other cargo) through the efficient utilization of the Namo Bharat infrastructure.
India’s first regional rail, Namo Bharat connects the National Capital, Delhi with the historical city, Meerut in less than an hour, while traversing through the major cities like Ghaziabad and peri-urban areas of Muradnagar, Rithani, Bhaisali and Modipuram on its 82 km corridor. It also connects major transport hubs like Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. Furthermore, the corridor has two depots, one already operational in Duhai, Ghaziabad and other under implementation in Modipuram, Meerut.
The MoU is aimed at exploring and developing a sustainable and efficient cargo logistics model for the movement of urban cargo on the Namo Bharat corridor. This connectivity can help support the movement of parcels to the businesses and customers served by Blue Dart.
This initiative could also help reduce hundreds of delivery vehicles from the roads, which in turn can significantly reduce congestion and pollution in the region. In fact, the entire 82 km corridor is estimated to help take more than one lakh private vehicles off the roads, helping reduce ~2,50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in vehicular emissions per year. If this freight model becomes successful, the environmental impact of this corridor will enhance manyfold.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shalabh Goel, Managing Director, NCRTC, said, “Namo Bharat is a strategic intervention to transform the regional connectivity across the National Capital Region and help reduce vehicular congestion and air pollution. In a short span of time, this service has gained popularity among the people and is enabling easy access to jobs, education, healthcare and affordable housing. Our collaboration with Blue Dart gives us an opportunity to explore how this new-age infrastructure could also serve the freight ecosystem with the convenience and benefit of the people at the centre.”
Pablo Ciano, CEO, DHL eCommerce Division, said, “India is a significant growth market for DHL eCommerce, and Blue Dart’s service quality and network are central to how we serve its customers. As businesses grow and supply chains evolve, we need to keep looking at how new-age infrastructure can strengthen that network. This collaboration with NCRTC is an opportunity to explore how the transformational regional rail connectivity could add value for customers in the National Capital Region.”
This initiative will also help explore the additional commercial potential of this corridor. Namo Bharat is a highly capital-intensive project. Once successful, this commercial model will strengthen the financial capacity of the corridor and help increase the Non-Fare Box Revenue (NFBR).
The Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor already serves around 1.1 lakh commuters every day and has completed more than 4.5 crore passenger journeys since the beginning of its operations. The scale of its daily operations and its fast and reliable regional service make it a promising platform to explore new possibilities beyond passenger mobility.
For time-sensitive shipments, reaching the right place quickly is as important as reaching the right place reliably. Namo Bharat’s connectivity across Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut, together with Blue Dart’s established pickup and delivery network, presents an opportunity to explore a new way of moving express parcels within the region. The proposed model, if found operationally feasible, could help connect major transport hubs with businesses and customers more efficiently while making better use of existing infrastructure.
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