What if we told you that soon you would be able to travel from Delhi to Meerut in just 55 minutes. The National Capital Regional Transport Corporation unveiled India’s first rapid rail on March 16. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train promises to cover the 82km distance between Delhi and Meerut in less than an hour. By Karan Kaushik
India’s first rapid rail unveiled; here’s everything you need to know
The RRTS train will be operated on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor. The primary features of India’s first rapid rail include cushioned seats, overhead luggage racks, CCTV cameras, auto control ambient lighting system, and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Passengers will also be able to charge their electronic devices, thanks to electric sockets at every seat. The train will also have a much wider standing space than metro trains.
According to a report published in The Indian Express, the RRTS train will feature standard coaches along with one premium or business coach. One coach will be reserved for women passengers. The business coach will offer reclining seats and larger legroom. It will also boast coat hangers and a vending machine. The train will be the first train on a regional transport system to feature a business or premium coach.
What makes India’s first rapid rail special is the fact that it will feature an aerodynamic profile. Its long nose in the front and plug-in-doors will help in reducing air drag at higher speeds. The train’s coaches feature three entry and exit doors. The train will be automated but train operators will oversee operations from the driver’s cabin.
The National Capital Regional Transport Corporation plans to run six such trains on the RRTS corridor. On completion of the entire stretch, the trains will have nine coaches. These trains will be available to passengers at a frequency of five to 15 minutes. The commute from Delhi to Meerut will have 14 stoppages.
Currently, these trains are being manufactured at Gujarat’s Savli. NCRTC will start trial runs from May. This will be followed by a full-speed trial in December.
Related: Manipur’s Newly-Constructed Khongsang Station Welcomes Its First Passenger Train Engine
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