One leg of Delhi to Meerut rapid train to kick off in March. Details here

Delhi NCR may soon get its own semi-high-speed train. The work on Delhi to Meerut RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) is in full swing. And according to reports, one part of the route may become operational from March 2023. 

What do we know? The National Capital Region Transport Corporation has been working to connect satellite towns around Delhi NCR through rapid rail system to cut down travel time, decongest the roads and decrease air pollution. 

• Delhi-Meerut is one of the first routes where work has started. 
• Now, from March, the 17 km stretch between Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai depot of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS route will become operational.
• The semi-high-speed train will run at the speed of 180 km per hour. Trials are already underway in Ghaziabad.

#RRTS Trial Run Launch! 1st trial run inside #Duhai depot. High-speed rail connecting #Delhi, #Ghaziabad & #Meerut. 3x faster than #RegularMetros. Designed & built by #AlstomIndiaGujarat. project Cost at ₹30,274 crore. Schedule & expected by #March2023 #CMODelhi #NCRTC pic.twitter.com/7RMrgZod05

— MyRMC Solutions (@MyrmcSolutions) August 8, 2022

How to purchase tickets? As per the plan, RRTS will provide QR code-based digital and paper ticketing facilities.

• Stations will also have Automatic Fare Collection gates where passengers will be able to use their National Common Mobility cards like they do in Delhi Metro. 
• Moreover, passengers will be able to recharge their cards or tokens through a mobile app. Vending machines will also be available for paper QR tickets. 

How much will the tickets cost? There is no official information on the price yet, but according to reports, the train fare is likely to be set at Rs 2 per km. 

What are the facilities available on board? The complete Delhi-Meerut RRTS will include a compartment with a stretcher for the transport of patients. A separate coach can also be arranged for the same. 

#RRTS trains come with reclining seats for commuter comfort during long-distance transit.@officialncrtc @MoHUA_India pic.twitter.com/jBmgBLEAhw

— Urban Transport (@ut_MoHUA) December 22, 2022

• Separate coaches for women and separate seats for the specially abled will also be available. The special seats can also be folded when not in use. 
• The coaches will be equipped with adjustable chairs offering a higher level of comfort and special arrangements will also be in place for standing passengers. 
• RRTS is said to include facilities like that on an airplane, including WiFi, mobile charging points, luggage storage, infotainment system, and more. 

How will it be different from metro or Vande Bharat? RRTS will definitely be faster than the metro.

• The aim of RRTS is to connect smaller towns around Delhi NCR with each other, enabling people to live in places like Meerut and work in Delhi. 
• RRTS aims to shorten the travel time for longer distances. In the future, it plans to connect Delhi to Alwar and Gurugram.
• RRTS is also wholly different from Vande Bharat trains. 
• Firstly, RRTS is operated by NCRTC which focuses only on the National Capital Region and its surroundings, while Vande Bharat is part of national railways.  
• Vande Bharat focuses more on connecting cities in different states with each other. Plans are also being formed for Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express. 

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS: The route is estimated to be finished by 2025. RRTS between Delhi and Meerut will enable travel between the cities within 60 minutes. 

Blink and its gone like the #flash⚡️
It is amazing to watch India's first semi-high speed train, manufactured by @Alstom for the #RRTS project whiz past as it gets tested at high speeds on the #DelhiMeerut corridor.#MadeInIndia pic.twitter.com/mJyAmYdINH

— Alstom India (@AlstomIndia) January 20, 2023

• There will be 24 stations on the Delhi-Meerut route and after the complete construction of the route; a total of 30 rapid trains will be pressed into action. 
• As per the plan, the RRTS will start from Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, in Delhi, which will have metro connectivity through Pink line, railway connectivity through Hazrat Nizamuddin station and bus connectivity through Sarai Kale Khan ISBT.