India's first rapid rail to open next week, with women driving RAPIDX

12 Oct 2023 CW Team

India's first Rapid Rail train, named RAPIDX, was set to be inaugurated the following week. It was anticipated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would flag off the inaugural train on the 17-km priority corridor in Ghaziabad. A historic moment for the country, the first train was to be operated by women pilots. This event was scheduled during the holy Navratri celebration, dedicated to the worship of "shakti" (women).

The priority corridor, spanning from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, had been ready for commercial operation for the past 4-5 months. The NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC), tasked with implementing the project between Delhi and Meerut, was also planning to launch its mobile app, "RAPIDX CONNECT," on this occasion. Additionally, the indigenously built platform screen corridor was to be virtually launched. During this event, the NCRTC intended to showcase the upcoming Sarai Kale Khan terminus in Delhi, which would serve as the central station for all future Regional Rail Train System (RRTS) corridors connecting Panipat and Alwar.

The entire Delhi-Meerut RAPIDX network, covering 82 km, was expected to become operational by 2025. Recently, Union Minister General V K Singh had taken a ride on the RAPIDX. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also expected to review the corridor later that week. The RRTS corridors, which were initially conceptualized during the UPA-II government, aimed to reduce travel time between Delhi and major cities in the NCR, allowing people to live outside the capital and commute conveniently for work.

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