REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS)

1. Context

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in India's transportation infrastructure by inaugurating the first leg of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). This innovative mass rapid transit system, dedicated to enhancing regional connectivity, promises to revolutionize travel within the National Capital Region (NCR). With trains capable of reaching speeds up to 180 km/hour, this initial section will drastically reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour.

2. What is the RRTS Project?

• The RRTS is an integrated, mass transit network with semi-high-speed rail connectivity at its core.
• It aims to foster "balanced and sustainable urban development" by improving connectivity and accessibility throughout the NCR.
• The project's roots date back to a study commissioned by the Indian Railways in 1998-99, which envisioned an RRTS network connecting various NCR locations through fast commuter trains.
• It gained traction in 2006, with the expansion of the Delhi Metro to towns like Gurgaon, Noida, and Ghaziabad.
• The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) incorporated the project into its "Functional Plan on Transport for NCR-2032," identifying and recommending eight RRTS corridors for high-speed rail-based commuter transit services.

3. Construction of Namo Bharat by NCRTC

• The Regional Rapid Transit System, known as Namo Bharat, was constructed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
• NCRTC is a joint venture involving the Central government, along with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• This entity operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and is tasked with implementing the RRTS project across the vast NCR, spanning approximately 55,000 square kilometres and accommodating a population of over 46 crore, with a combined GDP of an estimated $370 billion.

4. How RRTS Differs from Existing Metro and Railway Systems

• Compared to existing metro systems, the RRTS network offers higher speeds, catering to commuters seeking to travel longer distances across the NCR in a shorter time.
• In comparison to the Indian Railways, RRTS covers relatively smaller distances but does so at a higher frequency, providing a more comfortable experience for passengers.
• The RRTS is modelled after successful systems like the RER in Paris, Regional-Express trains in Germany and Austria, and the SEPTA Regional Rail in the United States, among others.

5. Objectives of the RRTS Project

• The RRTS project aims to unlock the full potential of the NCR in various ways, including enhancing multi-modal connectivity at existing transportation hubs.
• A significant goal is to encourage commuters to use public transportation, alleviating congestion on roads, highways, and existing metro and railway networks.
• Economically, the project intends to generate employment and stimulate the development of new commercial hubs within the NCR.
• This approach will enable more residents of suburban centres around Delhi to participate in the capital's economic activities without having to relocate.
• Reduced travel times are expected to boost the overall economic productivity of the region, fostering economic activity in suburban locations across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.

6. Corridors Under the RRTS Project

• The RRTS project encompasses eight corridors. Three of them are currently under development in phase I, including the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, the 164-km Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar, and the 103-km Delhi-Panipat corridors.
• Future corridors include Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabgarh-Palwal, Ghaziabad-Khurja, Delhi-Bahadurgarh-Rohtak, Ghaziabad-Hapur, and Delhi-Shahadra-Baraut.
• The RRTS station at Sarai Kale Khan, situated in the heart of Delhi, serves as the backbone of the project, with all three phase I corridors converging at this central hub.

7. Project Timeline

• The first section of the RRTS, the 'priority section,' inaugurated by the Prime Minister, covers a 17-km stretch within the 82-km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.
• This section features 16 stations, including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
• The entire corridor is expected to be fully operational by 2025, marking a transformative leap in regional commuter connectivity.