Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor at Uttar Pradesh’s Sahibabad RapidX station on Friday. This state-of-the-art regional mobility solution aims to revolutionize regional connectivity in the country by establishing new world-class transport infrastructure.
During the event, the Prime Minister also initiated the RapidX train service connecting Sahibabad to Duhai depot, marking the debut of RRTS in India. The first RapidX train in the country has been named “Namo Bharat.”
The 17 km priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor will link Sahibabad to the Duhai depot, with stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai along the route. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor on March 8, 2019. The operational train service is set to reduce the travel time between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot to 12 minutes, significantly less than the usual 30-35 minutes by road.
The RRTS project aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision to enhance regional connectivity through the development of top-notch transport infrastructure. This new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system, with a design speed of 180 kmph, represents a significant regional development initiative, designed to facilitate high-speed intercity travel every 15 minutes, with the frequency potentially increasing to every 5 minutes as needed.
Within the National Capital Region (NCR), a total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified, with three corridors prioritized for Phase-I implementation, including the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor, the Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor, and the Delhi – Panipat Corridor.
The development of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, estimated at over Rs 30,000 crore, will ensure a Delhi-Meerut travel time of less than an hour, passing through the urban centers of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar. The 82-km Delhi-Meerut section is projected to be completed by 2025.
The RRTS system, a modern regional mobility solution comparable to the best globally, will provide safe, reliable, and contemporary intercity commuting options in the country. Intended to align with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will integrate extensively with railway stations, metro stations, and bus services, fostering economic activity, improving access to employment, education, and healthcare, and significantly reducing vehicular congestion and air pollution in the region.
Distinguished from conventional railways and Metros, the RRTS offers reliable, high-frequency, point-to-point regional travel over comparatively longer distances at higher speeds. The comfortable seating and air conditioning of the RRTS priority section promise to elevate the travel experience in Ghaziabad, providing a convenient alternative to the existing modes of public transport such as autorickshaws, buses, and private taxis, particularly in the scorching heat and traffic. The Sahibabad RRTS station, where the Prime Minister launched India’s first RapidX train, is located just 4 km from the Vaishali Metro Station on the Blue line of the Delhi Metro.
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