Meerut: Gold Prices Rise, BJP Launches Poll Drive, Metro Phase 2 Approved
Meerut is in the news across business, politics, and infrastructure this week as gold prices rise ahead of the festive season and the BJP launches its Western Uttar Pradesh election campaign. Metro Phase 2 approval, a national-award-winning fintech startup, and a government sports academy producing national kabaddi champions complete a busy week.
🏢 Gold Prices Climb Ahead of Festive Season in Sarafa Bazaar
Gold prices in Meerut moved higher on Wednesday, with 22-karat gold trading at Rs 73,450 per 10 grams and 24-karat gold reaching Rs 80,100 per 10 grams. Silver was quoted at Rs 91,500 per kilogram. The day's rates reflected a rise of Rs 800 compared to the previous session, mirroring movement in global bullion markets where geopolitical tensions and robust demand from Indian and Chinese buyers continue to push prices upward. In Meerut's celebrated Sarafa Bazaar, jewellers are reporting steady customer footfall as buyers begin planning purchases for the upcoming Navratri and Diwali seasons. Several prominent jewellery establishments have already begun accepting advance bookings for the festive period. The Sarafa Bazaar is a cornerstone of Meerut's economy, providing livelihoods to more than 20,000 artisans engaged in the city's gold jewellery trade, which is known for BIS-hallmarked pieces meeting national quality standards. Industry insiders anticipate further price increases as wedding and festival demand strengthens in the weeks ahead, making early purchases increasingly attractive for consumers looking to secure current rates before further rises. [1]
🗳️ BJP Launches Western UP Election Mobilisation Drive from Meerut
The BJP has formally opened its Western Uttar Pradesh election mobilisation campaign from Meerut, with party national president J.P. Nadda addressing a Jan Sampark rally at the Gandhi Ashram ground. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan were among the prominent leaders in attendance. The party's campaign highlighted the Meerut Metro project, road expansion works, and sugarcane farmer welfare schemes as evidence of development delivery in the region. Meerut's selection as the campaign launch venue signals the strategic importance the BJP places on Western UP in the coming assembly elections, with the city seen as a bellwether constituency. The Opposition Samajwadi Party-RLD alliance responded by holding its own outreach event, with leader Jayant Chaudhary presiding over a kisan panchayat in neighbouring Bagpat district. Chaudhary used the occasion to criticise the ruling government's record on agricultural pricing, seeking to consolidate farmer support ahead of polls. Political analysts observe that Meerut and surrounding constituencies will be closely contested and are likely to serve as key indicators of each party's strength across the broader Western UP region. [2]
🏢 NCRTC Approves Five New Stations for Meerut Metro Phase 2
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation has approved five new stations for Meerut Metro Phase 2, extending the rapid rail network northward to Kanker Khera and Modipuram. The extension adds approximately 11 kilometres to the Phase 1 corridor and carries an estimated project cost of Rs 2,700 crore. Construction tenders are expected to be floated by early 2027. The Meerut Metro Rapid Rail Transit System, which became operational in 2025, recorded over 8 million passengers in its first year, demonstrating strong ridership demand. The Phase 2 expansion is considered a major step toward establishing Meerut as one of the best mass-transit-connected tier-2 cities in India. Authorities anticipate the extended network will relieve congestion on key arterial roads and stimulate real estate development along the new corridor. Phase 1's launch already spurred commercial and residential activity near existing stations, and the Phase 2 announcement is expected to intensify that trend across the city's northern neighbourhoods, drawing developer interest to areas that will gain direct metro connectivity for the first time. [3]
🏢 RuralPay Wins Startup India Award, Raises Rs 30 Crore Series A
Meerut-based fintech startup RuralPay has won the Startup India National Award for its multilingual digital payments platform designed specifically for rural micro-enterprises across India's Hindi belt. The app supports Hindi and eight other Indian languages and processes over 50,000 transactions daily across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Founder Abhishek Sharma, an IIT-Roorkee alumnus, accepted the award at the Startup India Summit in Delhi and presented the platform's model for bridging the digital divide in informal rural markets that are often underserved by conventional banking technology. Following this recognition, RuralPay secured Rs 30 crore in Series A funding led by a Mumbai-based venture capital firm. The company is now planning expansion into Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, building on its established presence in the Hindi belt. The startup's success adds a technology-driven dimension to Meerut's economic identity, which has historically centred on manufacturing and sports goods production. The national recognition is expected to attract broader investor interest to the city's emerging startup ecosystem. [4]
🎓 Meerut Sports Academy Sends 12 Kabaddi Players to National Championships
The Meerut Sports Academy, established in 2022 with state government backing, has achieved national recognition after producing 12 kabaddi players who competed in this year's national championships. The academy currently trains 200 athletes across kabaddi, wrestling, and athletics, with a deliberate focus on identifying talent from rural backgrounds that typically lack access to professional coaching facilities. Head coach Balram Singh emphasised the program's role in creating pathways for underprivileged athletes who would otherwise be overlooked by mainstream sports development channels. Several of the academy's kabaddi players are reportedly under consideration for the Pro Kabaddi League draft, which would mark a significant institutional milestone for a program still in its early years. The academy has submitted an application for additional state funding to expand its infrastructure, including a proposed swimming pool and dedicated athletics track. State Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav visited the campus last month, signalling continued government commitment to the initiative. The results are increasingly being cited as a model for sport-focused youth development across Uttar Pradesh. [5]
Sources: [1] Business Today · [2] The Times of India · [3] ETV Bharat · [4] India Today · [5] Rediff