Syllabus

GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Context: The Haryana government has asked the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to plan the alignment and signalling system of the Sarai Kale Khan-Gurugram-Behrore Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor in such a way that if a metro rail is ever built on this corridor, it can use the same track infrastructure. 

More on the news:

• The Haryana government said it would provide 40 acres of land to set up an RRTS depot at either Pachgaon or Dharuhera in joint ownership with NCRTC. 

• This was being done under revised detailed project reports of the SNB (Sarai Kale Khan-Nimrana-Behrore) RRTS project and the Delhi-Karnal RRTS project. 

• According to the revised detailed project report (DPR), construction for the 102km corridor from Sarai Kale Khan to SNB via Gurugram is expected to begin in August 2026, with completion targeted for November 2031. 

• The project cost is pegged at ₹35,000 crore, to be jointly borne by the government of India and the state governments of Haryana and Rajasthan.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

• It was first brought into picture by The Planning Commission which formed a Task Force in 2005 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to develop a multi modal transit system for Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). 

• This was included in the Integrated Transport Plan for NCR 2032 with special emphasis on Namo Bharat connecting regional centres.

• It is a new mode of public transportation in India that is designed to provide high-speed, high-capacity commuter services between regional nodes. 

• The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the first Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor (Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut) at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh in 2023.

• The RRTS is different from conventional railways in that it will provide reliable, high-frequency, point-to-point regional travel at high speed along a dedicated pathway. 

• It is also different from metros in that it caters to passengers looking to travel relatively longer distances with fewer stops and at higher speeds.

• A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified to be developed in Delhi NCR, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I.  

• These three corridors are –  

• Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor (82 km); 
• Delhi – Gurugram – Alwar Corridor (164 kms); and 
• Delhi – Panipat Corridor (103 km). 

Current Status and Expansion Plans

• Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Corridor (NaMo Bharat):

• First phase operational, connecting key NCR regions.
• Upcoming corridors include Delhi-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat.
• Upon completion, RRTS will span over 8,000 sq km, over twice the size of the current Delhi Metro network. 

Key features of RRTS

• The RRTS operates at a design speed of 180 kmph (3 times faster than metro) and an operational speed of 160 kmph. 

• It is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour along the 82-km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor.

• They are designed to carry a large number of passengers, reducing congestion and providing a comfortable commute.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. What is the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)? How does it differ from conventional railways and metro systems in addressing urban transport challenges in Delhi-NCR?