• The prototype of RRTS train is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2022

• First look of India's first RRTS train unveiled by MoHUA Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra (IAS)

• The RRTS train has been designed and is being manufactured by Bombardier India

New Delhi: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)'s Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra (IAS) unveiled the look of India's first RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) train on Friday. The state-of-the-art RRTS rolling stock will be first of its kind in India with a design speed of 180 kmph. With radiating stainless steel outer body, these aerodynamic RRTS trains will be lightweight and fully air-conditioned. Each car will have six automatic plug-in type wide doors, three on each side (Business Class will have four such doors, two on each side) for ease of access and exit.

Speaking on the occasion Mishra said that the environment friendly, energy-efficient trains will improve the quality of life in and around NCR by accelerating economic growth, creating economic opportunities and at the same time reducing air pollution, carbon footprint, congestion, and accidents. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)'s Managing Director Vinay Kumar Singh, Board of Directors of NCRTC and other senior officials of MoHUA, NCRTC and Bombardier India were also present at the event.

Deliberating on the benefits of the project, NCRTC's Managing Director said, "The rolling stock of India's first RRTS has been designed with a vision to fulfil the aspirations of the New India. RRTS rolling stock will be energy-efficient with about 30 percent regeneration during braking. NCRTC has awarded the rolling stock work with an integrated long term comprehensive maintenance by the manufacturer, thus leveraging the benefits of life cycle costing. I am confident that RRTS will prove to be transport backbone for the people of NCR and will define a new benchmark in the transport sector enabling the overall growth of the region."

Also read: RRTS: Delhi to Meerut In 60 Mins On A Rapid-Rail

The prototype is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2022 and will be put into public use after extensive trials. NCRTC will procure 30 train sets of six cars each for operating regional rail services on the entire corridor and 10 train sets of three cars each for operating local transit services in Meerut. The entire rolling stock for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor will be manufactured at Bombardier's Savli plant in Gujarat.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is one of the three prioritised RRTS corridor being implemented in phase-1. The 82 km long Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Corridor is the first RRTS corridor being implemented in India. The corridor will bring down the travel time between Delhi to Meerut by around 1/3rd. The commute time from Delhi to Meerut will be reduced to less than an hour from 3-4 hours by road at present. Civil construction work on about 50-km long section between Sahibabad and Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut is in full swing including the construction of four stations – Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, Guldhar and Duhai. The priority section of the corridor is targeted to be commissioned in 2023, while the entire corridor will be commissioned in 2025. The other two Phase-I RRTS corridors are Delhi-Gurugram-SNB and Delhi-Panipat. Pre-construction activities are in full swing for Delhi-Gurugram-SNB corridor and its DPR is under active consideration of the Government of India for sanction. The DPR of the Delhi to Panipat RRTS corridor is also under active consideration of the respective State Governments for approval.

Features for passengers

• RRTS train coaches will have transverse 2×2 seats.
• Optimised aisle width with grab handles and rails for a comfortable journey for standing passengers, overhead luggage rack, mobile/laptop charging sockets, adequate legroom and onboard Wi-Fi.
• Double glazed, tempered large safety glass windows that offer passengers a panoramic view of the outside
• Equipped with public announcement & display system, dynamic route map display, an infotainment display, along with emergency communication facilities. The train is designed for modern visual and audio announcements which orient passenger with information about the next stop, final destination, etc.
• Automatic plug-in type wide doors reducing air-friction and noise.
• CCTV, fire & smoke detector, fire extinguisher and door indicator.
• Universally accessible- Dedicated wheelchair space located near to the train doorway for easy access.
• Proven lightweight and compact propulsion system with high reliability and performance requirements.
• Innovative Train Control Monitoring System (TCMS) technology, as well as its predictive and condition-based monitoring features, which will enhance the fleet's performance by providing extensive train-to-ground diagnostics.
• Designed keeping in mind high-acceleration and high-deceleration that the train needs to undergo given the maximum operational speed of 160kmph and stations at every 5-10km.
• Trains would run under Automatic Train Operation (ATO) to provide a smooth ride with precise stopping accuracy and will also save energy.
• These modern trains will have push buttons for the selective opening of doors on need basis. This eliminates the requirement of opening all doors at every station, thus leading to energy saving.
• RRTS trains will also have business class (one coach per train) with spacious, comfortable and reclining seats which will be accessible through a special lounge at the platform-level.
• A food automatic vending machine will be installed in the business coach.
• One coach in every train will be reserved for women passengers as well.
• Given the high-speed train operations, all RRTS stations will have Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) for safety of the passengers. The train doors will be integrated with PSDs.

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is a joint venture of the government of India (50 percent) and state governments of Haryana (12.5 percent), NCT Delhi (12.5 percent), Uttar Pradesh (12.5 percent) and Rajasthan (12.5 percent). It is mandated to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain RRTS in NCR and works under the administrative control of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). NCRTC is mandated to implement India's first RRTS in NCR.

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