The first train set of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), equipped with modern mobility features, was handed over to NCRTC by Alstom India on Saturday as it rolled out of its manufacturing plant in Gujarat’s Savli.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is establishing India’s first RRTS which is a rail-based, high-speed, high-frequency regional commuter transit system.
This first train will be run on Sarai Kale Khan-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.
The train set handover ceremony was conducted in the presence of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi.
The high-speed regional rail project is proceeding as planned. Once completed, it will allow for polycentric development throughout the region while also reducing vehicular congestion and air pollution.
The fare has yet to be decided. It will be set in such a way that it ensures an optimal level of both passengers and revenue.
According to NCRTC officials, these will be the fastest trains in India with a design speed of 180kmph and operational speed of 160kmph with an average speed of 100kmph also ergonomically designed 2×2 transverse cushioned seating, wide standing space, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, laptop/mobile charging facility, dynamic route maps, auto control ambient lighting system, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System (HVAC), and other amenities.
The RRTS trains also have a ‘standard’ as well as ‘premium class’ (one coach per train), along with one coach reserved for women commuters.
Officials said that RRTS train sets are 100 per cent manufactured in India at Alstom’s (earlier Bombardier) factory at Savli in Gujarat under the Make in India initiative.
Powered by electric traction, RRTS will serve as a green mode of transport in NCR, the statement claimed.
After the arrival of the trains, initial trial runs are expected to commence on the priority section (Sahibabad-Duhai) by the end of this year.
The 17-km priority section is targeted to be commissioned by 2023 and the full corridor by 2025.
Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NCRTC, said that these train sets are the highest quality product.
“This will make the commissioning of the corridor in time or little earlier. These train sets have been manufactured in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. As soon as the rolling stock reaches our Duhai Depot we will start its trials,” Singh said.