INDIA’S FIRST REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS)

Why in News?
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the priority section of DelhiGhaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station, Uttar Pradesh on 20th October 2023 at around 11:15 AM. He will also flag off the RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, marking the launch of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India. At around 12 Noon, Prime Minister will preside over a public programme in Sahibabad where he will address the gathering on the occasion of launch of RRTS in the country. Further, he will also dedicate to the nation two stretches of east west corridor of Bengaluru Metro.

What is Regional Rapid Transit System?
In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform regional connectivity in the country through construction of new world class transport infrastructure, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project is being developed. RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system. With a design speed of 180 Kmph, RRTS is a transformational, regional development initiative, which is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, which can go up to a frequency of every 5 minutes as per requirement.

A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified to be to be developed in NCR, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I including Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor; Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor; and Delhi – Panipat Corridor. The Delhi-GhaziabadMeerut RRTS being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore, and will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.

RRTS being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution, and is comparable to the best in the world. It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country. In line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will have extensive multi-modal-integration with Railway stations, Metro stations, Bus services etc. Such transformative regional mobility solutions will boost economic activity in the region; provide improved access to employment, education & healthcare opportunities; and help in significant reduction of vehicular congestion & air pollution.

The 17 Km priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor that will be inaugurated, will connect Sahibabad to ‘Duhai Depot’ with stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai on the way. The foundation stone for DelhiGhaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by the Prime Minister on 8th March 2019.