Soon, travel from Delhi to Meerut in 60 minutes
In a major boost to infrastructure, soon the travel time between Delhi and Meerut will be reduced to 60 minutes. This will be made possible by high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, that will have trains having state-of-the-art facilities, and a coach reserved for women. To bring the cities, separated by 82-km, closer the Uttar Pradesh government has given its nod.
From Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut's Modipuram
After Uttar Pradesh government's green-flag, the project is awaiting approval from Delhi government. The RRTS project is handled by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). Beginning from Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan, the line will have 24 stations. It will pass through New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad and Modinagar to reach the final destination at Meerut's Modipuram. It's scheduled to be completed by 2024.
The trains will run at average speed of 100 kmph
Designed for a speed of 180kmph, the trains will run at an average speed of 100kmph. Initially, they will have six coaches and aeroplane type seating. While general coaches will have more standing area, the business ones will be more comfortable with a possible Wi-Fi connection. The Sarai Kale Khan station will act as a transit hub.
Officials say safety of passengers won't be compromised
The business class passengers of these trains might enjoy lounge facilities. The portion will be differentiated from other areas. In general, the trains will have universal access making it easier for physically challenged people to travel. The stations will have platform screen doors, and trains loaded with inherent safety features apart from CCTV cameras, an official revealed.
Hopping on the train
"Entry will be facilitated by the use of dual automated fare collection gates," an official revealed. "One gate will be for entry into the paid area of a station while the second will be installed at the platform level for entry into a business class coach," he added. At the gates, the traveller can decide the class they want to travel in.
Separately, NRCTC working on two other corridors
The NCRTC is also working on RRTS corridors for Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar. All three corridors will originate from Sarai Kale Khan. This will help a person "coming from Meerut to change trains to go to Gurgaon or Sonepat."
