Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the remaining sections of India’s first NaMo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System on 22 February. newly opened sections This includes a 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, as well as a 21-km stretch connecting Meerut South to Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
Real estate experts say the fully operational corridor is set to reshape the property market of the region. The already operational distance of 55 kilometers with 11 stations has already led to strong residential demand in Meerut, Ghaziabad, Muradnagar and Modinagar, pushing up the land rates of Meerut. ₹8,000-12,000 per square yard ₹12,000-20,000 per square yard. Better connectivity is expected to open up new land banks, attract developers and make housing in Tier 2 cities like Meerut more attractive to buyers outside Delhi.
Ankita Sood, National Director – Research, Knight Frank India, explains that infrastructure upgrades like RRTS and metro connectivity are expected to play a key role in uplifting Meerut’s status as an emerging real estate market. Better regional connectivity is likely to open up larger land banks across the city, encouraging developers to explore new development opportunities.
“Increasing travel time to Delhi and other NCR hubs is expected to drive a change in buyer preferences. For many homebuyers, shorter commutes are more important than higher property prices, making projects along the corridor increasingly attractive,” he said.
“Having said that, price movements will largely depend on the pace of new supply entering the market. In the near term, the residential and retail sectors are expected to benefit the most, while commercial real estate may see a more gradual impact in the longer run,” he said.
He said the improved connectivity is also expected to encourage residents who previously could not afford housing in Delhi to consider options in the Tier 2 city.
RRTS connector is expected to establish Meerut as a ‘bedroom community’ for Delhi’s workforce
According to Prashant Thakur, Executive Director and Head – Research and Advisory, ANAROCK Group, the inauguration of Sarai Kale Khan RRTS and Meerut Metro marks a turning point for the city’s real estate market. The corridor has already led to a 30-60% increase in property prices near stations like Modipuram and Shatabdi Nagar, which has reduced the travel time to Delhi to less than 60 minutes.
Developers nationally are gravitating toward integrated transit-oriented development (TOD) areas, which are transforming outlying areas into highly sought-after urban centers. “We can expect steady capital growth and a significant shift towards upscale gated townships as Meerut evolves as a viable ‘bedroom community’ for Delhi professionals,” he said.
With an estimated growth of 30-40%, Modipuram and Pallavapuram lead the list of profitable growth centres. He informed that the top investment destinations are Shatabdi Nagar, Partapur and Shastri Nagar.
Sensing an emerging opportunity, developers have started launching projects on this route. Paras Buildtech had launched a plotted development near Meerut Bypass Road. The project, Paras Estate, comprises 220 premium residential plots of 271 square yards each and enjoys direct access to the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and RRTS corridor, making commuting distance to Delhi within an hour.
According to Sameer Jasuja, Founder and CEO, PropEquity, the full operationalization of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and expansion of metro connectivity are expected to further shape the real estate landscape of Ghaziabad and Meerut. Full operations will drastically reduce travel time to Delhi and position both the cities as high-potential residential and commercial destinations. Backed by rising end-user demand and renewed investor confidence, property prices have increased by 54% in Meerut and 131% in Ghaziabad in the last four years.
He said that while Ghaziabad The real estate market is witnessing premiumisation, new development corridors are expected to emerge in Meerut which is expected to curb migration towards Delhi to a great extent.
Pay attention to TOD scheme
With the operationalization of the entire Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, planners and developers expect that new urban communities will develop around the station centres, leading to a change in not only regional mobility but also living and working patterns in the entire NCR.
emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD) is central to this shift, encouraging high-density, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods within station-impact areas. Such planning improves land use while supporting sustainable urban growth through integrated residential, retail, office and social infrastructure.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, the Meerut Development Authority (MDA) has earmarked 3,273 hectares of land for TOD-based projects under its Master Plan 2031. Of this, 2,442 hectares have been organized into seven TOD zones and two special development areas around RRTS stations. These areas are designed as self-contained urban nodes that connect housing, commercial space, education, health care and retail.
A major project is New Meerut Township, a 350-hectare greenfield development near Meerut South station. Ghaziabad has prepared a GIS-based Integrated Master Plan 2031, covering Ghaziabad, Loni, Modinagar and Muradnagar. The report said the plan expands the development area by 27% to more than 32,000 hectares, with land allocated to residential, commercial, industrial, recreational and transport-related uses, while TOD zones and special development areas are created along major expressways.
“The focus on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is particularly important, as it promotes high-density, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods within the influence areas of RRTS and Metro stations. This approach not only optimizes land use but also ensures sustainable urban growth with integrated residential, retail, office and social infrastructure,” Jasuja said.
“The opening of Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station will bring a visible shift in real estate demand along the Delhi-Meerut corridor. The industry is expected to witness strong primary demand, increased inventory absorption, and rising land and residential values in transit-linked micro markets. The reduced travel time will expand Delhi’s viable residential catchment area, attracting both end users and long-term investors towards organic, well-planned development,” said Santosh Agarwal, CFO and Executive Director, Alpha. Corp Development Limited said.
“The commencement of Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station will provide a major boost to the real estate sector. Connectivity and travel time are the deciding factors in buying a home, and we expect a visible surge in enquiries, sales conversions and property prices in key micro markets along the Delhi-Meerut corridor. These areas will no longer be treated as far-flung suburbs but as well-connected and viable investment destinations. This will lead to continued demand for quality residential locations. Corridor,” said Ashish Aggarwal, director of AU Real Estate.
Importance of RRTS corridors, how they can unlock development potential in peripheral cities
According to a survey titled ‘Rapid Regional Transit System: Testing the Pulse of Commuters’ By Knight Frank IndiaIndia’s regional mobility still relies heavily on roads and traditional rail networks, which are unable to keep pace with rapidly expanding and economically integrated urban areas. This has increased the gap between where people work and where they live.
Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) are emerging as a major solution capable of reducing travel times, expanding labor markets, and opening up development potential in peripheral cities. The survey found that 67% of working respondents are willing to invest in real estate along the RRTS corridor, highlighting the strong impact of infrastructure-led connectivity on investment decisions.
Anticipated business growth emerged as the strongest driver of investment intention. Respondents who saw increased business activity were more than 10 times as likely to consider investing in these locations. Similarly, areas with active real estate construction and mixed-use developments made respondents nearly eight times more likely to invest, suggesting that visible on-ground development plays a bigger role in decision making than mere infrastructure announcements, it noted.
Also read: Metro, RRTS and more: 5 things home buyers should evaluate before purchasing a property
Beyond employment opportunities, strengthening social infrastructure can play a decisive role in attracting migration from dense metropolitan areas like the National Capital Region (NCR) to emerging cities like Meerut. The survey found that 32% of aspiring RRTS users currently living in NCR are willing to relocate to smaller cities If there are adequate facilities along with strong connectivity.
International experience supports this model. Germany’s Cologne–Frankfurt ICE corridor enabled smaller cities to develop regional office and industrial clusters, thereby promoting two-way passenger flows. In Japan, Shinkansen-connected cities such as Kanazawa and Nagano expanded tourism, services, and light industries, along with major employment centers such as Tokyo and Osaka. Similarly, France’s TGV corridors helped cities such as Lyon, Avignon and Rennes create specialized economic ecosystems through the development of research parks, cultural centers and small businesses, the survey reported.
