Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System: A Game-Changer for NCR
Financing Approval Date: September 29, 2020
The National Capital Region (NCR) of India, one of the largest urban agglomerations globally, will soon transform with the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). This ambitious initiative aims to alleviate congestion and encourage sustainable transport in the area.
Current Status: A Bottleneck in NCR’s Growth
The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor in NCR experiences daily passenger traffic of 0.69 million, with 63% of commuters choosing private vehicles. These transportation patterns create severe congestion, pollution, and declining air quality. Experts predict the situation will deteriorate further, as NCR approaches becoming the world’s most populous urban agglomeration by 2030. The current transportation infrastructure struggles to manage the region’s growing mobility demands, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable transit solutions.
The Solution: RRTS to the Rescue
Costing USD 3,759 million, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS project, aims to create an efficient and sustainable regional transport system. It involves building an 82.15 km rapid rail corridor. This line will connect Delhi with Ghaziabad and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the travel time from Delhi to Meerut will decrease to approximately one hour. Moreover, the transit system will promote social inclusion and development, especially benefiting vulnerable groups in the region.
Project Highlights
- The RRTS will have a design speed of 180 km per hour and a maximum operating speed of 160 km per hour, with high-frequency operations.
- About 21 km of the corridor from Meerut South to Modipuram Depot will also be used to operate local transit services within Meerut City.
- The project will promote social inclusion and development, particularly for vulnerable groups, by improving mobility and accessibility to education and job opportunities.
Financing and Cost
The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Transit System project carries an estimated price tag of USD 3,759 million. NDB, ADB, and AIIB will jointly provide loans totaling USD 1,967 million to finance this initiative. Additionally, the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, managed by ADB, will contribute a USD 3 million grant. Furthermore, the government and various other sources will supply USD 1,789 million in counterpart funds. Collectively, these financial resources will ensure the successful implementation of this high-speed rail corridor, enhancing regional connectivity and mobility.
Environmental and Social Impacts
The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Transit System project falls under category “A” of NDB’s Environmental and Social Framework. During construction, the corridor faces several challenges. Firstly, it requires land acquisition and resettlement. Additionally, the project necessitates forest land diversion and tree relocation. Moreover, it impacts community health, safety, and peace along the route. However, developers have implemented solutions to address these issues. They’ve created environmental and social mitigation strategies aligned with national regulations. Furthermore, these measures comply with ADB’s safeguard requirements and NDB’s framework. Consequently, the high-speed rail link aims to balance progress with environmental and social responsibility.
A significant step towards reducing congestion and promoting sustainable regional transport in India’s National Capital Region emerges through the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS. With its efficient and reliable public transport system, this project has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people in the region. As the project takes shape, it is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the region’s economy, environment, and overall quality of life.