RRTS Station Above Or Below? Centre, Delhi Face-Off Over Sarai Kale Khan Upgrade

The Delhi government plans to revamp the Sarai Kale Khan station - the central hub of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which is the first phase Metro-like service between Delhi and Meerut, followed by an extension to Alwar and Panipat.

The Delhi government’s objective to revamp Sarai Kale Khan is to enhance connectivity between Metro, Railway stations and interstate bus stations by introducing travelators and skywalks.

The bone of contention, however, is whether the terminal will be built overhead or underground. The Delhi government is keen on the station being built underground. On the other hand, the RRTS wants an overhead station, reports Indian Express.

“Till we don’t know where the RRTS station will be built, the construction at ISBT will have to wait. Our plans are approved, and we are ready to start, but before that, a decision on RRTS station is crucial,” quoted a Delhi government official.

The Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Puri, has, in his letter on 26 October, told the Chief Minister of Delhi that building an underground station will increase the cost of the project by Rs 4,000 crore.