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India’s first regional train service, RapidX, is poised to commence operations on a 17-kilometer stretch starting on October 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this section on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad. The entire corridor is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
Here are 10 key points to know about this high-speed regional rail service that will enable travelers to reach Meerut from Delhi in just 60 minutes:
1.The RRTS is developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture involving the Indian government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 2013 as a result of a memorandum of understanding signed between the central government and the four states in 2011.
2. Construction of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor began in 2019, and the first look of the RRTS train was unveiled in 2020.
3. The RRTS differs from the Metro rail system, boasting an operational speed of 160 kilometers per hour, compared to the Metro’s speed of 80 kph. This allows an RRTS train to cover a 100-kilometer journey in just one hour, as opposed to the three hours required by a Metro train.
4.The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Corridor is India’s first RRTS project and will be followed by the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat corridors.
5.The entire Delhi-Meerut corridor spans 82 kilometers, which will be covered in just an hour and includes 24 stations. The initial phase, covering 17 kilometers, encompasses five stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and the Duhai Depot.
6.The NCRTC has focused on deep multi-modal integration at RRTS stations by collaborating with the central government, four state governments, and various transport systems. RRTS stations will be seamlessly integrated with metro lines, airports, and bus stands wherever possible.
7.The project’s cost stands at ₹30,274 crore, with funding from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
8.RRTS trains offer a range of commuter-friendly amenities, including overhead luggage racks, Wi-Fi, and mobile and laptop charging facilities at each seat. There will also be one premium class car with wider seats, extra legroom, and coat hangers. Vending machines will be available on the trains.
9.Notably, the operations of the 17-km primary section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor will involve more women employees than men. The NCRTC is actively promoting gender equality in the transport sector, traditionally considered male-dominated.
10. A dedicated ‘Lost and Found’ center has been established at the Ghaziabad Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) station to expedite the retrieval of lost belongings, as announced by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
