Hyperloop To UAV Launch Pads, How NCR Regional Plan-2041 Aims To Change Transportation In India's Capital Region

The NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) recently discussed the Draft Regional Plan-2041 (DRP-2041), which aims to make the National Capital Region (NCR) a smart region by improving connectivity among towns with the help of bullet trains, Heli taxi services and smart roads.

However, the approval was deferred by the planning board. The board will now take it up for discussion in the next meeting.

Here are some crucial points regarding the NCR and the future of its transportation systems as envisaged by DPR-2041.

NCR is the only multi-state region in the country, spread over the territories of three state governments (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan) and NCT Delhi.

The region's size was 30,242 sq.km. as per RP-2001 (notified in 1989) has increased to 34,144 sq.km.in 2004 and further increased to 55,083 sq km. in 2018.

The size of NCR is now more than the size of States like Punjab (50,363 sq. km) and Uttarakhand (53,483 sq. km).

Based on Census 2011 figures, NCR is larger than the States like Andhra Pradesh (495.77 lakh).

“The concept of NCR development is based on the joint and participatory approach arriving at consensus on the various issues, policies and proposals for the planned development of this interstate NCR in a federal system is a challenge,” the Draft Regional Plan said.

New Expressways

The regional plan envisages that two more Peripheral Expressways should be developed as Growth Corridors in addition to the existing Eastern and Western Peripheral expressways.

The plan envisages new expressways connecting Panipat -Shamli -Meerut -Jewar -Nuh Bhiwadi -Rewari -Jhajjar -Rohtak -Panipat and Karnal- Muzaffarnagar -Gharmukhestwar -Naraura -Aligarh -Mathura -Deeg -Alwar -Mahendragarh -Charkhi Dadri -Bhiwani -Jind -Kaithal -Karnal.

Also, it proposes an Elevated Ring Road (ERR) parallel to the outer ring road in Delhi with suitable slip roads for entries and exits as required.

Rapid Rail And Hyperloop

The plan states that the three priority Regional Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) corridors, namely Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat, and Delhi-Rewari-Alwar, should be executed in a time-bound manner in the first phase. The work of the Delhi-Meerut corridor must be completed by 2023, and work on the remaining two corridors should be expedited.

Further, it directs that the work of the remaining six RRTS corridors, i.e., Delhi-Shahdara-Baraut; Delhi – Hapur; Delhi - Khurja; Delhi–Ballabgarh–Palwal; and Delhi – Rohtak, should also be undertaken by NCRTC in a time-bound manner.

Along with RRTS, the plan explores the possibilities of having HyperLoop facilities in NCR towns for quick movement between the city and its airport or rail station.

More Airports To UAV Launch Pads

The plan seeks the development of the six existing unserved airports and airstrips in NCR, namely, Karnal, Bhiwani, Narnaul, Meerut, Alwar and Bharatpur, by 2025 and made fully operational.

It stated that private players should be incentivized to develop these airports and airstrips.

The plan also aims to make NCR a future-ready region with Drone and UAV launch pads to be established at all district headquarters.

“Like other global Metropolitan regions in the world, it is necessary to develop more airports in NCR,” the plan states.

“All-important high-rise buildings may explore possibilities of having helipads after due permissions,” it added.

Leveraging River Yamuna And Canal Network

The draft regional plan-2041 for NCR also included implementing passenger and cargo ferry service on Inland National Waterway (NW)-110 (Yamuna River). The plan states that the waterway should be made fully operational by 2025.

Further, the plan states that possibilities can be explored to develop passenger and cargo ferry service on major canal networks in NCR like Agra Canal, Upper Ganga Canal, Western Yamuna Canal, etc.

“The Inland waterways can be explored for bulk cargo, especially of non-perishables,” the plan states.

“Need to maintain minimum water levels in Yamuna in NCR to enable round the year boating and navigation and its potential further use,” it added.

On the whole, regarding the transport sector in NCR, the regional plan envisages that attempts should be made to make travel times across NCR limits under 30 minutes by Heli-taxis, 60 minutes by train and two to three hours by car.

Accordingly, the plan states that steps need to be taken to improve mass public transport appropriately, identifying the corridors, modes, speeds, infrastructure needs etc., to commute within the desired time.