India’s First Regional Train Service

October 17, 2023

India is all set to launch its first regional train service, RapidX, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate it on October 20. The priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) will open, covering a distance of 17 kilometers between Duhai and Sahibabad.

Key Highlights

First of Three Prioritized Corridors: The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS is the first of three prioritized corridors planned for implementation in Phase 1 in India. This is followed closely by the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat corridors.
Total Length and Travel Time: The Delhi-Meerut corridor has a total length of 82 kilometers and is designed to enable travel between Delhi and Meerut in just one hour. The initial phase will cover five stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
Project Cost: The project was built at a total cost of $20.274 billion (approximately Rs 30,274 crore) and received funding from institutions like the Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Distinct from Metro: While the RapidX train may resemble metro trains, it is important to note that the RRTS is entirely different from traditional metro rail systems.
Developed by NCRTC: The project is developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture involving the Government of India and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Premium Features: RRTS trains will feature premium-class cars with wider seats, increased legroom, coat hangers, luggage carriers, mini-screens, Wi-Fi, and mobile and laptop charging facilities at every seat.
High-Speed Travel: The RRTS trains are designed to operate at a speed of 180 kilometers per hour, making them the fastest urban transit system in India. Each train will consist of 407 seats arranged in a 2×2 layout. An RRTS train can cover 100 kilometers in just one hour, while a metro train would require three hours for the same distance.