This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2023) |
RapidX [1] | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Service type | Elevated rapid rail |
Status | Partially operational |
First service | 20 October 2023 |
Website | ncrtc |
Route | |
Line(s) used | 8 (planned) 1 (partially commissioned) |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | Economy class Business class Women's class |
Seating arrangements |
|
Observation facilities | Large windows for panoramic view |
Entertainment facilities | |
Baggage facilities | Overhead racks |
Other facilities |
|
Technical | |
Rolling stock | Namo Bharat EMUs |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line |
Operating speed | 160–180 km/h (100–110 mph) |
Average length | 384 metres (1,260 ft) (16 coaches) 192 metres (630 ft) (8 coaches) |
Rake maintenance | Duhai Depot, Duhai, Uttar Pradesh |
The RapidX [2] [3] [4] is a rapid rail [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] system operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in India's National Capital Region (NCR). The goal of the RapidX is to replace the conventional non-air-conditioned MEMU-operated local train network with a rapid rail system. [10] [11] The semi-high speed trainsets which are providing services on RapidX have been named as Namo Bharat and have an average speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). [12]
Germany’s Deutsche Bahn will operate and maintain the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut rapid rail transit corridor after winning bid value at estimated price of Rs 1500 crores for 12 years. [13]
The plan for a regional rapid transit service to connect Delhi with nearby towns was proposed in the late 1990s by Indian Railways. In 2006, When the Delhi Metro was expanding, the plan was under consideration as a part of Delhi Metro's expansion to nearby lying towns. [14] The government later formed National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in 2013 to take up the implementation of eight planned Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) that would decongest Delhi within the 100–200 km (62–124 mi) radius of the region. [10] [15] [16]
In October 2023, NCRTC branded the RRTS services as the RapidX [17] and the trainsets as Namo Bharat. [18]
To provide commuters with convenient, seamless travel experiences, the three phase-1 RapidX corridors, Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut; Delhi – Panipat; and Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar, will converge at Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan and will be interoperable, in the sense that trains will be able to move from one corridor to another. This will facilitate commuter travel from one corridor station to another without requiring train changes, thus enabling commuters to leave their private vehicles and switch to the RapidX. [19] [20]
RapidX stations will be integrated wherever possible with other modes of public transport, such as airports, Indian Railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, and Delhi Metro stations. Such integration will facilitate seamless commuter transfers from one mode of public transportation to another, thereby encouraging the use of public transport systems. While the RapidX will act as a backbone for regional transportation, Delhi Metro lines will complement the RapidX by acting as feeder lines. The Sarai Kale Khan RapidX station will be a mega-terminal where all three Phase-I RapidX corridors will merge. [19] [20]
RapidX stations | Integration |
---|---|
Ghaziabad | Shaheed Sthal metro station |
New Ashok Nagar | New Ashok Nagar metro station |
Anand Vihar | Anand Vihar metro station, Anand Vihar ISBT, UPSRTC bus depot (Kaushambi), and Anand Vihar Terminal railway station [21] |
Sarai Kale Khan | Hazrat Nizamuddin, Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, and ISBT Sarai Kale Khan |
INA | INA |
Aerocity | Indira Gandhi International Airport and Delhi Aerocity metro station |
Udyog Vihar | Proposed extension of Rapid Metro Gurgaon |
Kherki Dhaula toll | Proposed Bawal Metro and proposed bus terminus |
Panchgao | Proposed Bawal Metro, proposed ISBT, and proposed multimodal hub |
Bawal | Bawal bus stand |
Business class: Each RapidX train will have a separate business coach. This will encourage business class commuters to switch to public transport for intercity travel.
Platform lounge: These premium lounges will be built at all the stations of the "high-speed" rail. These lounges will be reserved only for the business class passengers travelling via RRTS. [23]
Comfortable travel: The air-conditioned RapidX coaches will have transverse seating arrangements with overhead luggage space and Wi-Fi connections, among other modern amenities.
Women's coach: Each RapidX train will have a separate coach for women travellers, just like the Delhi Metro.
Universal accessibility: The entire infrastructure of the RapidX, including stations and trains, will be designed with universal accessibility in mind.
Nokia partnered with Alstom to implement the 4.9G/LTE private wireless network to support the ETCS L2 signalling in Regional Rapid Transit System. This is a “world-first application” of an LTE network that is being used along with ETCS Level 2 signaling to provide high-speed, high-reliability commuter service. In addition, ETCS Level 2-based system allows trains to report their precise location in real-time. [24]
In order to maximize the utilization of the RapidX system, the routes will also be used for moving cargo during non-peak hours. Goods such as perishable ones are expected to avail benefits from the service. It is expected to reduce the pollution footprint after decongesting the road between the two cities by taking out trucks. The trainset depots of the system are set to be equipped with warehouses and other cargo handling facilities. [25]
The NCRTC is implementing a state-of-the-art rail-based rapid transit system in the NCR with a design speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). Such a design speed will necessarily require the installation of grade-separated tracks and the latest signalling and control systems to ensure high throughput and safe operation. The rolling stock (train cars) will be air-conditioned and capable of fast acceleration and deceleration in a very short time span. Traction power will be delivered through a uniquely designed 25 kV flexible overhead catenary traction system for elevated stations and a rigid overhead catenary system for tunnels.[ citation needed ]
The trains for the service were specially developed for a fast and comfortable regional commute. The lightweight stainless steel body of the Namo Bharat (trainset) train with aerodynamic nose allows for reducing air drag at higher speeds (180 km/h (112 mph)). The train was designed in Alstom's engineering centre in Hyderabad and was manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli. [26]
A Slab Track Austria system, recognized for providing excellent riding comfort even at high speeds of 180 km/h (112 mph). These tracks are being used in India for the first time. The tracks are also preferred for their longer life span, reduced maintenance requirements, and ease of replacement. [27]
The ETCS Level-2 signalling system is used globally for high-speed railway transit. The system is equipped with modern signalling with virtual blocks & ATO functionality over an LTE backbone and is being used for the first time in India. A key feature of the RRTS is the interoperability of all the corridors, and ETCS Level-2 makes this possible. The system can monitor train speed and direction and provide operational directives using a radio block centre. Use of a virtual block facilitated by ETCS Level-2 signalling eliminates any possibility of train collision. [28]
SPEED is NCRTC's in-house, sophisticated, robust, reliable, and user-friendly monitoring and project management platform for reporting activities of the pre-construction and construction phases of the RRTS. SPEED leverages technological infrastructure frameworks such as JavaScript, PHP, etc.[ citation needed ]
A CDE is implemented to maintain a common repository for all construction and pre-construction drawings and technical documents. It enables collaboration and sharing of updated information, documents, and drawings in real-time to achieve a single source of truth across an organization, manage the design, define and implement workflows, and monitor progress actions across the organization. [29] [30]
BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to effectively plan, design, construct, and manage buildings, infrastructure, and outdoor structures and elements. Project-related components like walls, doors, etc., are modelled in 3D using various BIM software. BIM offers a realistic 3D model, giving a true sense of how the actual structure will look. All the RRTS stations are currently being designed and developed using a BIM platform. [31]
A CORS network system, including its control station, is being installed by the NCRTC to increase geolocation accuracy in the civil construction survey work. This system provides real-time, precise coordinates for measured locations and is capable of ensuring 5 – 10 mm accuracy in the geolocation of points, whereas regular GPS can only provide location accuracy of up to 10 to 15 metres. This eliminates cumulative errors in civil construction and results in better alignment, acting as a life cycle management solution for the project.[ citation needed ]
The Delhi Meerut section of RRTS finally opened on 20th October 2023.
Operational
Approved
Proposed
Route | Locale | Length | Construction began | Opening | Notes | Map |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delhi–Meerut | Delhi and Uttar Pradesh | 82 km (51 mi) | January 2019 | 20 October 2023 | Fully operational by 2025. [32] | |
Delhi–Alwar | Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan | 164 km (102 mi) | TBD 2024 | TBD | Pre-construction works are underway. [33] | |
Ghaziabad-Jewar | Delhi and Uttar Pradesh | 72 km (45 mi) | TBD | 2028 | Detailed Project Report (DPR) awaiting approval. [34] | |
Delhi–Panipat | Delhi and Haryana | 103 km (64 mi) | TBD | 2025 | Detailed Project Report (DPR) awaiting approval. [35] | |
Hyderabad–Warangal | Telangana | TBD | TBD | TBD | Proposed [36] | |
Hyderabad–Vijayawada | Telangana and Andhra Pradesh | TBD | TBD | TBD | Proposed [36] | |
Vijaywada–Amaravati–Guntur–Tenali | Andhra Pradesh | TBD | TBD | TBD | Proposed [37] |
The National Capital Region (NCR) is a planning region centered upon the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi in India. It encompasses Delhi and several districts surrounding it from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The NCR and the associated National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) were created in 1985 to plan the development of the region and to evolve harmonized policies for the control of land-uses and development of infrastructure in the region. Prominent cities of NCR include Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida.
Indian Railways operates India's railway system and comes under the purview of the Ministry of Railways of Government of India. As of 2023, it maintains over 108,706 km (67,547 mi) of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily. According to the Ministry of Railways, a route capable of supporting trains operating at more than 160 km/h (100 mph) is considered as a higher speed or semi-high speed rail line.
Kaushambi, a part of the planned industrial city of Ghaziabad, is an industrially planned and well developed region, under Vasundhara Zone of Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation. Situated at the sidelines of the Delhi-U.P. border opposite side of Anand vihar in Delhi that provides quick access to the capital city. Although not large, the city holds a conglomerate of various facilities, such as a shopping complex, movie theaters, city parks, company offices, computer education, robotics training and housing societies. Being part of the most populous state of India, it receives a good number of visitors and locals. The incumbent Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, resided in Girnar Apartments of Kaushambi before shifting to Delhi when Aam Aadmi Party won the 2015 Delhi Elections.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The NCRTC is the owner of RapidX, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project across the National Capital Region (NCR), inaugurated on 20 October 2023. It is operated by Deutsche Bahn.
The Meerut Metro is an under-construction rapid transit system, which will serve the city of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is being built in two phases, out of which the first phase with the first line will cover 23.6 km (14.7 mi) with 13 stations, from Modipuram to Meerut South. It will have nine elevated, three underground stations, one at-grade station as the depot station at Modipuram, and four stations integrated with the Delhi–Meerut RRTS on a single corridor, making the metro the first such rapid transit system in India to be merged directly with a regional railway system. The second phase will include a second line covering 15 km (9.3 mi) from Shradhapuri Phase-II to Jagrati Vihar, with 12 stations, out of which seven will elevated and five will be underground, thereby taking the overall length to 38.6 km (24.0 mi). The metro will also be the fastest metro of India, at an operational speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
The Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System is an partially operational 82.15 km (51.05 mi)-long semi high-speed rail and regional transit corridor that will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. It is the first of the four rapid rail corridors planned under the first phase of the RapidX project managed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). Designed to allow a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph), the distance between Delhi and Meerut will be covered in less than 60 minutes. The project is being executed at a cost of ₹30,274 crore (US$3.8 billion). It will start from Jangpura as the starting station, run through Sarai Kale Khan, the terminal for the three planned corridors, both in Delhi, and end in Modipuram in Meerut. It will have 16 stations and two depots at Duhai and Modipuram.
Delhi–Alwar Regional Rapid Transit System is a 164 km long under-construction semi-high speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Gurgaon, Rewari and Alwar. It is one of the three RapidX corridors planned under Phase-1 of the Rapid Rail Transport System of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). With maximum speed of 160 km/h and average speed of 105 km/h, the distance between Delhi and Alwar will be covered in 104 minutes. The project is expected to cost ₹37,000 crores.
The Delhi–Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System is an approved, 103 km (64 mi) long, semi-high speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Sonipat, and Panipat in the National Capital Region. It is one of the three RapidX corridors planned under Phase-1 of the Rapid Rail Transport System of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). With maximum speed of 160 km/h and average speed of 120 km/h, commuters using the system will be able to cover the distance between Panipat and Delhi in 65 minutes. The project is expected to cost ₹ 21,627 crores.
Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station is an under construction RRTS station in South East Delhi district, Delhi, India which will serves mainly higher-speed trains. It will serve as the terminus for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. This station will serve as a Terminus station on the 3 priority RRTS corridors of the first phase.
Sahibabad RRTS station is an elevated terminal RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India which will serve for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. The station is powered by solar energy, with 1,100 solar panels on the station's roof.
Ghaziabad RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India which serves for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. The station is powered by solar energy, with 1,100 solar panels on the station's roof.
Anand Vihar RRTS station is an under construction RRTS station in East Delhi district, Delhi, India which will serves mainly higher-speed trains. It is the only underground station of the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System. It will serve for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
The Namo Bharat is an Indian Electric multiple unit (EMU) train built for RapidX. The train was designed by the French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom at its engineering centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, and was manufactured in Savli, Gujarat. The train has an aerodynamic design which reduces the drag when it travels. The train has a design speed of 180 km/h (110 mph) and is operated at a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).
Guldhar RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that reaches speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Duhai RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This will serve as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Duhai Depot RRTS station is an At-Grade terminal RRTS station in Uttar Pradesh, India. This will serve as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. This will be the depot for all Namo Bharat trainsets for maintenance purposes.
Murad Nagar RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Muradnagar city of Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that reaches speeds of upto 180 km/h.
Modinagar South RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Modinagar town of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Modinagar North RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Modinagar town of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Meerut South RRTS station is an under construction terminal RRTS station in the Partapur town of Uttar Pradesh, India. This will serve as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Trains of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, will be known as 'NaMo Bharat', Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Thursday.