Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Transport System (RRTS) on October 20. This section will open to the public the following day, offering passengers a plane-like seating arrangement with comfortable and reclining seats. The high-tech coaches will feature large windows and digital screens, displaying the train’s current location and speed.
Each train will consist of six coaches, one premium and five standard. Premium coaches will come with higher fares, while one standard coach will be reserved exclusively for women. Over 50% of the workforce will be women, with a focus on employing residents living between Delhi and Meerut. Premium ticket holders will have access to waiting lounges at the stations, and the initial train frequency will be 15 minutes, with 30-second stops at each station.
The RRTS distinguishes itself from conventional railways and metro networks as India’s first rail system with a maximum operating speed of 160 kilometers per hour. The corridor includes 14 stations, with an expected average speed of 100 kmph. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 17-kilometer Sahibabad to Duhai Depot section, featuring five stations, namely Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot, with a travel time of 15-17 minutes.
The entire Rs 30,274 crore project will span 82 kilometers, connecting Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan station to Meerut’s Modipuram. While the existing Mail Express train takes 1.5 hours for the Meerut-Delhi journey, local trains take two hours, whereas the RRTS is expected to reduce this travel time to just 55-60 minutes. Completion of the entire corridor is anticipated by June 2025, with the project’s foundation stone laid by PM Modi on March 8, 2019.
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Passengers on the RapidX trains will enjoy various amenities, including cushioned seating, spacious interiors, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, laptop and mobile charging points, auto-controlled lighting, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Additionally, every train will feature a map for passenger convenience.