Delhi-Meerut RRTS gets Rs 900 crore from UP Government Budget 2020-21

Lucknow, India (Urban Transport News): In a major boost to regional connectivity in NCR, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has allocated Rs 900 Crore to the country’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the state budget for 2020-21 presented today. Earlier this year the Government of India has allocated Rs 2,487 crore to RRTS in the union budget.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor on 8th March 2019. With meticulous planning and expertise of the NCRTC team, the construction work was initiated immediately. Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor is 82 km long. The construction work on the 17 km priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is going on in full swing.

The construction of pillars has been underway between Sahibabad and Duhai. The first girder (segment) for the viaduct of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor has been cast at NCRTC’s casting yard located at Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. The viaducts will also be soon visible on the ground. The operation on the priority 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, the initial pile load test is underway between Shatabdi Nagar to Modipuram.

Tenders have been floated for carrying out an 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 the Multimodal Integration scheme and setting up a stabling yard at Jungpura, New Delhi is also underway. With a design speed of 180 kmph and an 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–Meerut RRTS corridor will be immensely beneficial in curbing pollution in the region. The regional high-speed rail will promise to cover the distance between Meerut and New Delhi in less than 60 minutes. The estimated project cost of Delhi-Meerut RRTS is Rs 30,274 crore (US$ 4.2 billion).

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) the implementing agency of RRTS is a joint venture of the Government of India (50%) and State Governments of Haryana (12.5%), NCT Delhi (12.5%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%) and Rajasthan (12.5%). It is mandated to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain RRTS in NCR and works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, GOI.