NCRTC unveils coaches of India’s first rapid rail for Delhi-Meerut corridor

NCRTC unveils coaches of India’s first rapid rail for Delhi-Meerut corridor

What is the news :

• The National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has unveiled the coaches of India’s first rapid rail for the Delhi – Meerut corridor.
• The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train will run on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor and cover a distance of 82 km in just 55 minutes.

Facilities in coaches :

• The coaches will be equipped with modern features including wide standing space, CCTV cameras, sockets for laptop and mobile charging, dynamic route maps, auto control ambient lighting system and heating ventilation and air conditioning system.

About RRTS train :

• The new RRTS train is a completely new design of train designed to provide a good travelling experience for passengers.
• The  RRTS  train will be the first in the country to have a business or ‘premium’ coach on a regional corridor.
• The train will be capable of accommodating 1500 passengers at once. The train has been designed to have a setting resembling the one on an aircraft.

Background :

• The Planning Commission formed a Task Force in 2005 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to develop a multi modal transit system for Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
• This was included in the Integrated Transport Plan for NCR 2032 with special emphasis on Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting regional centres.
• The Task Force identified 8 corridors and prioritised three corridors namely Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi- Alwar for implementation.
• In Mar 2010, National Capital Region Planning Board(NCRPB) appointed M/s. Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System for Delhi-Meerut and Delhi-Panipat and M/s. Urban Mass Transit Company Limited for Delhi-Alwar to carry out feasibility study and prepare the Detailed Project Report.

How is Rrts different from Metro?

• RRTS is different from conventional railway as it will provide reliable, high frequency, point-to-point regional travel at high speed along a dedicated pathway.
• RRTS is different from Metro as it caters to passengers looking to travel relatively longer distances with fewer stops and at a higher speed.

 About Delhi–Meerut RRTS:

• The Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System(Delhi–Meerut RRTS) is an 82.15 km (51.05 mi) long, under-construction, semi-high speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
• It is one of the three rapid rail corridors planned under Phase I of the Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) project of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
• With a maximum speed of 180 km/h (111.85 mph), the distance between Delhi and Meerut will be covered in less than 60 minutes.
• The project will cost ₹30,274 crore(US$4.0 billion) and will have 24 stations including two depots at Duhai and Modipuram.

 About National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC):

• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation(NCRTC) is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
• The NCRTC is mandated with implementing the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project across the National Capital Region (NCR), ensuring a balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and access.
• Headquarter – New Delhi
• Key people – Vinay Kumar Singh ( MD)