In order to improve the connectivity and saving the traveling time of the daily commuters between Delhi and Meerut, the central government has given its approval to the Rapid Rail Transit System project. This will be an 82 km long corridor starting from Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut. National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is taking care of the whole project.
The whole project will be developed in phases, of which the state government has sanctioned the first phase of development and the bids had already been invited. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 30,274 crore and it is likely to be operational by 2024. It is said that the train will run at a maximum speed of 160 km/h and will take 62 minutes to reach Meerut.
The Stations
As said, the starting point of the Rapid Rail Transit Project will be from the Sarai Kale Khan and the destination point will be Meerut. In between it will pass through the most congested routes of the Delhi-NCR, hence relieving commuter’s traffic woes. The 16 stations will be Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut Central, Begumpul, Meerut North, Modipuram. Around 60.35 km will be elevated and rest 30.25 km will be underground.
Superior Connectivity
The whole project is designed is a way to ease the traveling time of the commuters via public transport. A multi-modal integration system is planned at various points on the whole route. For example: At Sarai Kale Khan, one can commute via buses and Indian railway after the journey ends. Passengers leaving at New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar can commute their journey further via Delhi Metro Blue and Pink line. In other cities of Uttar Pradesh, one can use Local public transportation system for further movement inside the city.