A strong demand to develop Greater Noida as a major railway hub was raised in Parliament on Tuesday, with BJP MP Surender Singh Nagar highlighting the daily travel hardships faced by the city’s rapidly growing population.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Nagar said Greater Noida, located in Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, is home to nearly 12 lakh residents, including students and professionals from several states. Despite being a fast-expanding urban and educational hub, the city lacks adequate long-distance rail connectivity, he pointed out.
Residents Forced to Travel Over 50 km for Trains
According to the MP, residents of Greater Noida are compelled to travel more than 50 kilometres to either New Delhi or Ghaziabad railway stations to board long-distance trains. This, he said, causes unnecessary financial strain, time loss, and contributes to road congestion in the NCR.
“What makes the situation more frustrating is that several long-distance trains already pass through Greater Noida but do not halt here,” Nagar told the House.
He specifically mentioned Bodaki and Dadri railway stations, which lie on key rail routes but are largely underutilised for passenger halts.
Popular Trains Pass Through Without Stopping
The MP informed Parliament that trains such as the Prayagraj–Rewa Superfast Express, Vande Bharat Express, Shatabdi Express, and Shiv Ganga Express pass through Greater Noida but do not stop at either Bodaki or Dadri stations.
“As a result, passengers are forced to rely on road transport to distant stations, worsening traffic congestion and increasing commuting costs,” Nagar said.
Growing Population, Education Hubs Add Pressure
Greater Noida has emerged as a major education and industrial hub, hosting universities, technical institutes, IT parks, and industrial clusters. Students and workers from states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal form a significant portion of the population.
With new residential projects and commercial developments coming up, the demand for better rail infrastructure has grown steadily over the years.
Call for Halts in Public Interest
Calling it a matter of public interest, Nagar urged the Centre and the Railway Ministry to consider stopping long-distance trains at Bodaki and Dadri stations and to formally develop Greater Noida as a rail hub.
“This will not only benefit local residents but also reduce pressure on New Delhi and Ghaziabad stations,” he said.
The demand is expected to add momentum to long-pending calls for improved rail connectivity in the rapidly urbanising Noida–Greater Noida region.
