Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor Work In Full Swing Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

With the aim of meeting the commissioning target in 2023, work on the 17-km priority section of the 85-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor is going on in full swing amid the second wave of pandemic.

RRTS is a rail based semi-high speed (design-speed 180 kmph), high-frequency commuter transit system, which aims to improve quality of life of people by providing equitable, fast, reliable, safe comfortable, efficient and sustainable mobility solution enabling economic development of NCR (National Capital Region) and address issues of vehicular pollution and road congestion.

According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the implementing agency of the RRTS project, despite the challenging situation due to Covid-19, construction of five stations including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot on the 17-km priority section is in full swing.

Since all these five stations are elevated stations, construction is being carried out on the elevated piers. The piling work for construction of these stations’ piers has already been completed.

Simultaneously, piling cap construction with piers and piers-cap structures are being erected at a fast pace to make station superstructures.

The entire 82-km long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, India's first RRTS project, with 24 stations is expected to be commissioned in 2025.

"NCRTC team has been working diligently round the clock even during these difficult times, following Covid appropriate protocols. We are confident of delivering this commuter centric transit system to the citizens of the region within the targeted time schedule. We are getting full support of the state government of UP, and local administration in overcoming the challenges," said NCRTC managing director Vinay Kumar Singh.

Ghaziabad RRTS station, a major station on the corridor, has also started taking shape with the alignment coming from Delhi (Sarai Kale Khan) is crossing the Delhi Metro viaduct (Red Line) as well as an existing flyover, just before this station.

The platform level of the station is about 24m high, making it the highest RRTS station being constructed on the RRTS network, so far. It is an important regional node and will also facilitate integration of future corridors of Phase II RRTS network at this station.

Besides, there will be three exclusive entry/exits, of which, two are on the road towards Delhi to Meerut side while the third one is on the other side facilitating easy commuter access.

The accessibility will be provided through foot over bridges, with facilities of escalators and lifts for comfortable commuter movement, making it accessible for elderly and specially-abled. Each platform of Ghaziabad will be served by two escalators, three staircases and a lift for commuters’ convenience.

All platforms of RRTS stations are provided with automatic platform screen doors (PSDs) for safety of passengers. The lifts provided at RRTS stations have the size and capacity to accommodate stretchers as well, immensely beneficial during occasional medical emergencies. There will be 24x7 CCTV monitoring for enhanced security.

The stations will be equipped with state-of-the-art modern amenities including passenger information display boards for real-time information and system maps indicating prominent nearby locations. At concourse level, apart from ticket vending machines (TVMs), fire fighting system, retail outlets, snack vending machines and facilities like washrooms etc are being provided.

For smooth and systematic vehicular movement in and around the station, the traffic integration is being designed to create additional drive-in spaces for all kinds of vehicles. Dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones are also being created to ensure congestion free traffic movement.

Sahibabad, Guldhar, Duhai RRTS stations are being constructed with similar public facilities. Sahibabad is being constructed considering possible future multi modal integration with the upcoming metro station in Phase IV.

Guldhar is designed to cater to the needs of the people residing at Raj Nagar Extension societies and nearby areas. Duhai is home to many educational institutions and therefore stations are being constructed to provide seamless facilities to the students and residents.

In pursuit of its vision to contribute towards a clean and green environment, NCRTC is striving to achieve the highest rating of IGBC certifications for all RRTS stations. Solar panels for harnessing green energy will be installed on the rooftop of all these stations. Station infrastructure with aesthetically designed landscape will enhance the overall commuter experience and encourage people to use public transport.

Despite the pandemic, NCRTC is constantly working to ensure its completion in the stipulated time frame.