First Trainset For Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor Flagged Off For Duhai Depot

The first state-of-the-art trainset to run on Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor was rolled out from Savli factory in Gujarat on 7 May for Duhai depot in Ghaziabad in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), and rolling stock manufacturer Alstom.

The six-coach trainset for India's first RRTS, manufactured by Alstom, is expected to reach Duhai on 15 May by road. After reaching Duhai, the trainset will be put to test by NCRTC on the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor shortly thereafter.

The RRTS is the first-of-its-kind system in which trains, with a design speed of 180 kmph, will be available every 5-10 minutes and cover the distance between Delhi and Meerut in 55 minutes.

The trainsets, with their sleek and modern design, will be lightweight, equipped with a regenerative braking system, and compatible with automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train control (ATC), and automatic train operations (ATO).

The regenerative braking system is an important feature of these trains, which generates electricity when the brakes are applied and the power goes back to the electric grid through the overhead traction of the train system.

What was said: Describing the occasion as a "proud moment for all" and "true manifestation of Prime Minister's vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat," Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "RRTS is a harbinger of transformation in urban mobility. We will usher in a new era by boarding and travelling in this modern, technologically advanced regional rail as it will transform the landscape of regional transit as we know it."

In a video message, he said, "It is also going to create a plethora of opportunities, enabling balanced and sustainable growth of the region. This is just the beginning of India’s journey of regional rails, with two more RRTS corridors planned in the first phase itself. Work on them will also be taken up shortly and, once completed, it will create a network of networks connecting all the major hubs of NCR."

Speaking on this occasion, NCRTC managing director (MD) Vinay Kumar Singh said, “It is an important milestone, as one by one we will now witness all our efforts and planning for this transformative project taking shape and becoming a reality on the ground. These state-of-the-art trainsets with modern commuter-centric amenities are yet another example of what we can achieve within the country with a strategic approach, hard work, and dedication."

Alstom has been awarded the contract as per which they will deliver 40 trainsets, including 10 three-car trainsets for Meerut Metro, bundled with rolling stock maintenance for 15 years. The contract also includes designing, supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning signalling and train control, supervision, platform screen doors, and telecommunication systems for the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor. The delivery of these semi-high-speed aerodynamic trainsets has started with this rollout.

Singh said, "Along with the bundled contract for supply and comprehensive maintenance of trainsets awarded to Alstom, we have now finalised the selection process of a private O&M Partner for a long-term operation and maintenance contract of the Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor. The successful operation of these two contracts will bring a paradigm shift in the railway industry in the country."

He added that they were "in a position to complete this project on schedule and will begin the trial runs in a few months."

The RRTS trains have ergonomically designed 2x2 transverse seating, wide standing space, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, laptop/mobile charging facility, dynamic route maps, auto control ambient lighting system, heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), and other amenities.

The air-conditioned RRTS trains will have standard as well as premium class (one coach per train) along with one coach reserved for women commuters.

The NCRTC has taken the initiative of building a huge network of networks by seamlessly connecting the various public transit systems in NCR. With multi-modal integration, RRTS stations will have seamless integration with metro stations, railway stations, and bus depots, wherever possible.

Once operational, the first RRTS corridor is estimated to reduce 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in vehicular emissions per year. With an expected daily ridership of around eight lakh passengers, RRTS will be the most energy-efficient futuristic transit system.