In a major boost to regional connectivity in the National Capital Region, the Uttar Pradesh Government, in its Budget for year 2020-21, has allocated Rs 900 crore to country's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). Earlier this year, the Union Government had allocated Rs 2,487 crores to RRTS in its Budget.
According to a senior official, after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor last year, the construction work was initiated immediately and the recent budget will boost the ongoing work.
"Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor is 82 km long. The construction work on the 17 km priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is going on in full swing. The construction of pillars has been underway between Sahibabad and Duhai. First girder (segment) for the viaduct of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor has been casted at National Capital Regional Transport Corporation's (NCRTC) casting yard located at Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. The viaducts will also be soon visible on the ground," said the official.
"The operation on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS section is proposed from March 2023. The priority section has four stations - Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai. Simultaneously, work is in progress at other sections as well, initial pile load test is underway between Shatabdi Nagar to Modipuram," said the official.
"Tenders have been floated for carrying out initial pile load test in the Delhi section from Sarai Kale Khan to Anand Vihar. Tender for design and construction of tunnels of Delhi portion by Tunnel Boring Machine from New Ashok Nagar Ramp, New Delhi to Sahibabad Ramp in Ghaziabad has also been floated. Engagement of Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) for Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar RRTS stations including Multimodal Integration scheme and setting up a stabling yard at Jungpura, New Delhi is also underway," the official added.
With a design speed of 180kmph and operational speed of 160 kmph, the RRTS trains will be unique and one of its kinds in India. The aerodynamic coaches will be self-propelled on electric traction with 25KV AC System. The RRTS trains are being designed with the state-of-the-art latest technology. The Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut RRTS corridor will be immensely beneficial in curbing pollution in the region. The high-speed rail will promise to cover the distance between Meerut and New Delhi in less than 60 minutes.
