On October 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Uttar Pradesh. Following the inauguration, PM Modi also initiated the departure of the RapidX train, which connects Sahibabad to the Duhai depot. Notably, the country’s inaugural semi-high-speed regional rail service, RapidX, has been rebranded as “NaMo Bharat,” as announced by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on October 19. Commencing from October 21, the train is set to serve passengers.
All About the Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor
This RRTS corridor extends over a total of 82.15 kilometers, with the first 17 kilometers, linking Sahibabad and the Duhai Depot, being launched as a priority section. The full corridor is expected to be operational by June 2025. During the event, Prime Minister Modi engaged with school children and the crew aboard the RapidX train, now known as ‘NaMo Bharat,’ which plies between Sahibabad and the Duhai Depot.
Key Features of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS:
- The operational speed of the train will reach 160 km per hour.
- A dedicated women’s coach and premium coach are part of the RapidX, along with a train attendant.
- The second coach, while travelling from Delhi to Meerut, will be reserved for women, accommodating 72 passengers. Additionally, other coaches will reserve 10 seats for women.
- To encourage commuters to switch from personal vehicles to RRTS, a premium coach is included in every RapidX train. This coach offers spacious, comfortable seating with cushioned reclining seats and charging points for mobile devices and laptops at each seat.
- Access to the Premium Coach is facilitated through a Premium Lounge located at the platform level. These lounges are equipped with comfortable cushioned seating and feature vending machines for snacks and drinks.
- Each RapidX train will be staffed with a Train Attendant who will assist passengers in familiarizing themselves with the train’s facilities and ensuring a safe and secure commute.
- Entry and exit at stations are designed to decongest the area and prevent traffic jams by providing dedicated passages on both sides of the road.
- The NCRTC offers various ticketing options, including QR code-based paper tickets, digital QR tickets, RapidX Travel Cards, National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC), and Open Loop contactless cards.
- RapidX trains are equipped with ergonomically designed 2×2 transverse seating, ample standing space, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, laptop/mobile charging outlets, dynamic route maps, an auto-control ambient lighting system, and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning System (HVAC), among other amenities.
Local residents expressed their optimism about this initiative, emphasizing the enhanced travel connectivity and experience it will offer. Shubhank Agarwal, a local resident, noted the convenience it would bring to daily commuters travelling from Delhi to Meerut. Rakesh Sharma highlighted the potential to reduce travel time, especially in densely populated areas of the East Zone. Shikha Sharma also welcomed the initiative for its ability to simplify travel to Meerut.
