PM To Inaugurate Final Stretch Of Delhi-Meerut Corridor

20 Feb 2026 CW Team

The Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Corridor, marketed as Namo Bharat, is the country's first rapid rail project and is now in its final stages. The foundation stone for the corridor was laid by the Prime Minister in Ghaziabad in March 2019, and subsequent construction progressed over the following years. The development is intended to provide high-speed suburban connectivity between the national capital region and Meerut, and officials describe it as a flagship urban transport undertaking.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the third and final phase on 22 February 2026, completing the corridor that has been opened in stages. The first phase of the project, covering a 17-kilometre stretch from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, was inaugurated on 20 October 2023. Work on the remaining sections has focused on civil structures, signalling and track integration to ensure compatibility with the rapid rail rolling stock and operational safety standards.

Proponents expect the completed corridor to reduce commuting time, enhance regional connectivity and support economic activity along the alignment. Authorities have highlighted anticipated improvements in reliability and capacity compared with existing suburban services and have emphasised benefits for daily commuters, business travel and logistics. Urban planners say the rail link will form part of a wider network of rapid transit initiatives intended to shift travel demand towards public transport and to decongest arterial roads.

Final safety certification, staff training and trial runs are being completed ahead of the formal opening, according to project sources. Operational timetables and fare structures are to be published prior to passenger services commencing. The inauguration of the final phase will mark the transition of the corridor from a phased project to a fully operational rapid rail service, and officials anticipate that it will become a key component of the region's transport infrastructure.

Products

20 Apr 2026

OrnaMatte Brings Premium Matte Finishes to Modern Interiors

Action TESA has introduced OrnaMatte, a curated range of 38 matte finishes designed for contemporary interior surfaces. The new offering combines premium aesthetics with practical performance, reflecting the growing demand for surface solutions that balance design appeal with durability. The company said matte finishes continue to gain popularity for their understated, elegant look across modern interiors. OrnaMatte features anti-fingerprint properties, a velvety satin feel, near-zero gloss and 3H scratch resistance, making it suitable for long-term use in residential and commercial spaces. ..

Vestian reports 36% drop in construction activity in Q1

Vestian reported a 36 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline in new office completions to 9.7 million sq ft in Q1 2026, marking the lowest level in the past four quarters amid the West Asia crisis.The slowdown was led by cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai, where developers adopted a cautious approach. Hyderabad saw the steepest drop, with completions falling 95 per cent to 0.3 million sq ft from 6.0 million sq ft in the previous quarter.Despite constrained supply, office absorption rose 20 per cent year-on-year to 21.53 million sq ft, driven by sustained demand from global capability ..

fäm Properties reports 95% sales in Dubai 2026 supply

Data from DXBinteract shows that 41,015 of 43,217 units due this year have already been sold. Across the 2026–2029 pipeline, 71.45 per cent of 426,182 units have been committed, indicating sustained absorption levels.The analysis highlights strong demand across leading developers, with several reporting near or full sell-outs. Emaar and Meraas have sold over 99 per cent of their 2026 inventory, while Dubai Holding and Meydan projects are fully sold.Commenting on the trend, Firas Al Msaddi, CEO, fam Properties, said, “Dubai continues to demonstrate a level of forward demand that is structur..