Namo Bharat RRTS crosses 1 lakh riders on first full day after launch
New Delhi (PTI): The NCRTC on Monday recorded the highest-ever ridership on the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System, with commuter numbers expected to exceed 1 lakh passengers.
This marks the first full day of commercial services after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the complete 82-km Delhi-Meerut corridor and the new Meerut Metro link.
"On Monday, with the last train scheduled to depart at 10 pm, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) expects the total ridership to surpass 1 lakh commuters," the corporation said.
This is the highest ridership recorded on the corridor to date, it said.
A video from the Begumpul station in Meerut showed passengers keen to experience the new service.
In the clip, large crowds are seen gathering on the spacious concourse early in the day, with many families and youth taking selfies and photos inside the train and station.
Some commuters in the video could also be seen scattering flower petals on the platform as the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train approached, while others waved enthusiastically.
The visuals showed orderly queues forming at ticket counters and platform entrances, with station staff assisting first-time riders and explaining safety protocols.
Prime Minister Modi on Sunday inaugurated the remaining sections of the RRTS -- the 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21-km extension from Meerut South to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
Designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph, the Namo Bharat system is aimed at significantly reducing travel time between Delhi and key urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut.
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Air ambulance with 7 onboard to Delhi from Ranchi crashes in Jharkhand's Chatra
Ranchi (PTI): An air ambulance with seven people onboard to Delhi from Ranchi crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand's Chatra district on Monday, Ranchi airport Director Vinod Kumar said.
There was no immediate confirmation about casualties.
The crash occurred after the air ambulance took off from Ranchi airport at about 7.10 pm, the official said.
"An air ambulance from Ranchi with seven people onboard crashed near Simaria in Chatra district. The report of the crash was received from the state administration," Airport Director Kumar told PTI.
The ambulance had lost contact with air traffic control around 20 minutes after takeoff.
The DGCA in a statement said, "On 23.02.2026 Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on sector Ranchi-Delhi crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand."
There were seven people on board, including two crew members.
"The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at19:34 IST, aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi," it added.
The district administration's search and rescue team is at the location, and an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team is being dispatched for investigation, the statement said.
Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told PTI, "The aircraft went missing around 7.30 pm. It crashed at Bariatu Panchayat in Simaria."
The DC said she cannot confirm the casualties right now, as the place of occurrence is deep in the forest.
"A team has been sent. We can confirm when the team reaches there," she added.
