Delhi-Meerut RRTS: PM Modi Flags Off Country's First RapidX Train — Namo Bharat

Delhi-Meerut RapidX: PM Modi has inaugurated the country's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) on the Delhi-Meerut corridor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the priority section of the country's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, which has been renamed as 'NaMo Bharat'. The Prime Minister inaugurated the 17 km priority section of the corridor that will connect Sahibabad to 'Duhai Depot'.

The foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2019.

RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system. It is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes with a design speed of 180 Kmph. A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified to be developed in NCR, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I including Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor; Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor; and Delhi – Panipat Corridor.

PM Modi bought the first ticket as he inaugurated the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad.

After launching the train, the Prime Minister also interacted with school children and RRTS staff members as he took a ride on the Namo Bharat train.

Commenting on the project, German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann said, "I think it is a very interesting project also in the context of climate change, in the context of environmental protection because public transport will take away traffic from the roads. Germany and India have concluded the Green & Sustainable Partnership for Development. I think this is a very important step also. It makes it more carbon-free in a way...It is a fantastic addition to the NCR..."

The entire corridor is being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore, and will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.

The trains have a look similar to metro trains, but their coaches are equipped with features like luggage carriers and mini-screens.
The 82km stretch from Delhi to Meerut will be covered in less than 60 minutes by highspeed, high-frequency, safe, reliable, comfortable and green public transit. As far as the ticket price is concerned, the minimum fare of the rapid rail can be kept at Rs 15 to Rs 20, and the maximum fare can be kept up to Rs 160.