Rapidx: Delhi-Meerut RRTS tunnelling nears completion

The civil work for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project, spanning 82 km and connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, is nearly completed by the NCRTC (National Capital Region Transport Corporation). The work in Meerut has been concluded, leaving only 2 percent of the work pending for the Anand Vihar-Vaishali section. Puneet Vats, the chief PRO of NCRTC, mentioned that the underground civil construction of tunnelling work for the RRTS project is expected to conclude in about a week. The remaining work is specifically situated in the Anand Vihar to Vaishali section. This implies that the tunneling work is approximately 98 percent complete. After the completion of the tunnels, the subsequent steps will involve the laying of tracks, the installation of signals, and the setup of overhead equipment. The underground tunnels for the RRTS project have a width wider than that of typical Metro systems, measuring 6.5 meters instead of the usual 5.8 meters. This alteration is to accommodate the larger RapidX trains, anticipated to operate at a speed of 180 km/h. Additionally, the tunnels are equipped with cross-passages at intervals of 250 metres to facilitate maintenance and passenger evacuation in case of emergencies. The initial section of the RRTS project, a 17 km stretch in Ghaziabad from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, which includes five stations, has already been completed by the NCRTC and is currently awaiting inauguration. Following the commencement of passenger operations on this section, the subsequent phases will involve extending operations from Duhai to Meerut and subsequently to Delhi. The final blueprint includes the integration of the metro module in Meerut. The progress of track laying for the elevated corridor is advancing rapidly, with approximately 50 percent of the work completed from Duhai to Meerut (south). The majority of the viaduct construction is also finished, with approximately 15 km remaining in various areas of Delhi and Meerut. Anticipated to commence operations in March 2025, the RRTS project carries an estimated cost of Rs 302.74 crore. Encompassing a route of 82 km, the project incorporates a total of 25 stations, distributed with three in Delhi, eight in Ghaziabad, and the remaining stations in Meerut. Also read:  Srinagar gears up for E-bus launchGreen flag to Pavana Valley Villages to Kusgaon Budruk road