New Delhi: The Union Cabinet gave the green light to the construction of an 82-km long Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) between Delhi and Meerut through Ghaziabad in the next six years. The government is expected to lay the Rs 30,274-crore project's foundation stone by the end of February prior to the poll code of conduct. The government also hopes to finish the project by the middle of 2025.

Delhi-Meerut within 1 hour

The high-speed regional transit system, a first in the country, will enable high-speed trains to cover the distance between the two cities within an hour. The modern trains are set to have aeroplane-like seats along with a separate coach for business class travel. The rapid rail system will likely see the train's travelling at a speed of 180 km per hour.

The trains will operate every five-ten minutes and the stations will be designed for nine-coach trains, as per the proposed plan. The trains will commence from the Sarai Kale Khan station and end at Modipuram area in Meerut, with stops at 22 stations. The planned route will have 68.03 km of the elevated structure, while 14.12 km will likely be underground.

RRTS will put 1 Lakh private vehicles off-road

The line will run along the Delhi-Meerut highway through Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, Modinagar, according to the plan. Besides the inter-city transport between Delhi and Meerut, the new service will also provide local mobility for the residents of Meerut city.

However, the modern transport system will possibly take over one lakh private vehicles off-road, according to Niti Aayog's estimates.