Along with high speed connectivity, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) which is implementing RRTS project, will develop 12 metro stations between Meerut South to Modipuram and areas between Begumpur and Modipuram, thus making travel easier for the people in Delhi and Meerut, the plan is to providing metro connectivity in the places that fall between these stretches.
With metro stations beinng included, the total count of stations will rise to 24. Moreover, this will be first time that Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) services will be operated together at one time in same infrastructure.
Earlier, the proposal was to construct the metro station parallel to the RRTS route, of which the estimated cost was about Rs 8500 crore approximately. But with the metro alignment on the same rapid rail infrastructure, the cost has been reduced and an approximate amount of Rs 6300 crore will be saved.
“This optimization excellence is for first time in the country in which the government is saving billion dollar investment as well as will provide seamless network and a convenient travelling for the lakhs of commuters. Earlier, there was a metro plan on the same alignment parallel to the RRTS route. But with the new plan will be ready with an approximate amount of Rs 2000 crores by saving Rs 6300 crores,” said Sudhir Sharma, a senior NCRTC official.
Besides, the estimated budget of the 82 Km long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor is Rs 30274 crores (approx).
“Further, it will save time and money. For example, a person boarded a train from Rethani and he wants to go towards Modinagar or Delhi or Muradnagar, he has to only come to Meerut South on the same platform he can de-board and can interchange for Delhi or Modipuram directly through rapid rail,” added the official.
As per the official, there will be total 24 stations in the Delhi Meerut Corridor, of which two will be station cum depot, 12 metro stations (including three RRTS station) and remaining are RRTS stations.
There will be seven priority sections from Sarai Kale Khan to Duhai via Saibabad and Ghaziabad. The metro station with interchange stations will have four tracks and the metro station will have the capacity of three coaches. The 12 metro station are Meerut South (interchange to rapid rail), Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Brahmpuri, Meereut Central, Bhaisali, Begumpul(interchange) , MES colony, Daurli, Meerut North and Modi Puram (interchange). Out of these, eight will be elevated and four will be underground station.
The project was approved by the Union Cabinet on 19th February and the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has sanctioned its approval on 3rd March this year. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone for on 8th March. The pre-construction on this corridor has started.
