National Capital Region Transport Corporation

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) - a Joint Venture company of Government of India and States of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh is mandated for implementing the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project across the National Capital Region (NCR), ensuring a balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and access.

National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC)
State owned SPV
IndustryPublic transport
Founded2013
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Key people
Vinay Kumar Singh (Managing Director)
ServicesRegional Rail
OwnerUnion govt (50%)
Delhi (12.50%)
Haryana (12.50%)
Rajasthan (12.50%)
UP (12.50%)
Websitencrtc.in

On 11th July 2013 the Union Cabinet approved constitution of National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC) under the Companies Act, 1956 for designing, developing, implementing, financing, operating and maintaining Regional Rapid Transit system (RRTS) in National Capital Region (NCR) to provide comfortable and fast transit to NCR towns and meet the high growth in transport demand. Accordingly, NCRTC has been incorporated on 1 August 2013. Mr. Vinay Kumar Singh appointed as the first regular Managing Director of NCRTC in July 2016[1].

RRTS Corridors Prioritized for implementation:

The NCRTC board approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor on 6th December 2016.[2] Subsequent to the approval of DPR by States and Union Government, on 8th March 2019, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone of India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut. The civil construction work is in progress and the priority section of the corriodor between Sahibabad to Duhai is targetted to be commissioned by 2023.Travel time between the Delhi and Meerut will reduce to less than 60 minutes from the existing around three hours, once this RRTS gets operational.[3]

The second priortized RRTS corridor between Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar is planned to be executed in three stages. The DPR of first stage between Delhi-Gurugram-SNB was approved by NCRTC Board on 7th December, 2018. Subsequently, the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and NCT Delhi approved the DPR of the corridor and it is under active consideration of the Government of India for sanction. The DPR of second stage of this corridor between SNB (Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror Urban Complex) to Sotanala has also approved by NCRTC Board on 13th March, 2020.

The DPR of the third priotized RRTS corridor between Delhi - Panipat is approved by NCRTC Board on 13th March, 2020.

Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
  • RRTS is a rail-based high speed, high frequency, high capacity, comfortable, air-conditioned, reliable, and safe commuter service connecting regional nodes.
  • Design Speed – 180 km/h, Operational Speed -160 km/h, Average Speed of 100 km/h – Delhi to Meerut in less than 55 minutes
  • Train every ~5-10 minutes; Serving traffic nodes at every 5-10 kms
  • Train Services will not be affected even during extreme weather conditions.
  • RRTS is different from conventional Railway as it will provide reliable, high frequency, point to point regional travel at high speed along a dedicated pathway.
  • RRTS is different from metro as it caters to passengers looking to travel a relatively longer distances with fewer stops and at a higher speed. While metro rail projects generally serve the need of intra-city movement and operate within metropolitan cities like Delhi, Chennai or Kochi, etc.; RRTS will connect suburban and urban centres in NCR and will run from one city centre to another, thus providing a seamless transit network to the entire region.

Unique aspects of RRTS

Interoperability [4]

Waiting time and number of interchanges are two major deterrents in the adoption of any public transport system. To provide seamless movement to the commuters, the three RRTS corridors of phase – 1, i.e. Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut, Delhi – Sonipat - Panipat - Karnal, and Delhi – Gurugram – SNB will be interoperable. The interoperability of the three RRTS corridors will provide a hassle-free, comfortable, and seamless travel experience to the commuters. The commuters would be able to travel from one corridor station to another without interchanging the rail, thus motivating them to leave their private vehicles and switch to RRTS


Multimodal Integration [5]

RRTS stations would be integrated with various modes of public transport systems like Airport, Indian Railway Stations, Inter-State Bus Terminus, Delhi Metro Stations, wherever possible. The integration will facilitate the seamless movement of commuters from one mode of public transport to another. Seamless integration between different modes of transport will encourage people to use public transport. While RRTS will act as a backbone for regional transportation, Delhi Metro lines will complement it by providing feeder dispersal services. The Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station will be a mega terminal where all 3 Phase-I RRTS corridors will merge.


Multimodal Integration of RRTS Stations
RRTS Station Mode of transport with which integration will be provided
Ghaziabad New Bus Adda
New Ashok Nagar New Ashok Nagar Metro Station
Anand Vihar Anand Vihar Metro Station[6], Anand Vihar ISBT[7] and UPSRTC Bus Depot (Kaushambi)[8]
Sarai Kale Khan Line 7 (Pink Line) of Delhi Metro,Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and ISBT Sarai Kale Khan
INA Line 2 (Yellow) of Delhi Metro
Aerocity Indira Gandhi International Airport , Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro and Proposed phase IV of Delhi Metro
Udyog Vihar Proposed extension of Gurugram Rapid Metro and Proposed Metro from Gurugram railway station
Kherki Dhaula Toll Proposed Bawal Metro and Proposed Bus Terminus
Panchgao Proposed Bawal Metro, Proposed ISBT and Proposed Multimodal Hub
Bawal Bawal Bus Stand


Operation of RRTS will promote the use of public transport. It will encourage the commuters to leave their private vehicles for public transport.[9]

Option of Business Class: Each RRTS train will have a separate business coach. This will encourage the business class commuters of NCR to switch to public transport for intercity travel.

Comfortable Travel: The air-conditioned RRTS coaches will have transverse seating arrangement with an overhead space for keeping luggage, Wi-Fi connection among other modern amenities.

Women Coach : Each RRTS train will have a separate coach for women travelers just like Delhi Metro.

Universal Accessibility: The entire infrastructure of RRTS either stations or train will be made giving all due importance to universal accessibility.

Need for RRTS Project

The National Capital Region (NCR) has grown over the years to cover parts of states around Delhi namely, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Today the total area which falls under NCR is about 55,083 km2 with the total population of over 4.6 crores (Census 2011). The regional has seen a decadal population growth of ~24% between 2001 and 2011. Entire NCR is an urban agglomeration with an urbanization of about 62%.

Further, in 2007, the number of Passenger vehicles crossing Delhi borders breached 1,100,000 (Eleven Lakhs) per day. This has triggered the need to have effective regional public transport system on a priority.

Benefits of RRTS Project

Enhanced Economic Activities

A high-speed, comfortable and affordable mode of transport like RRTS has the potential to change the movement patterns of people and usher-in economic development across the region. With reduced travel times, the overall productivity of the region would improve, leading to improved overall economic activity leading to balanced economic development. The RRTS would lead to a polycentric economic development in a uniform manner across the region.[10]

Lower Emissions

With a reduced number of private vehicles and shift towards clean transportation system like RRTS, fuel consumption is expected to go down. Low fuel consumption means lower emissions and less pollution.[11]

Easing of Road Congestion

RRTS has capacity to ferry a larger number of people per hour. RRTS, which could shift a large amount of traffic from road to rail could free up a lot of road space and ease congestion on highways across the NCR. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Gurugram RRTS corridor alone is expected to take off over 1 lakh vehicles from the road, easing congestion on the road[12].

Improved Access to Jobs and Facilities

The three corridors of Phase-I alone is expected to generate 21000 direct jobs. The RRTS would open up new markets and opportunities for people by connecting them through a high-speed network. The commuters will get a world-class travel experience. The faster commute would allow people to have access to better facilities like healthcare, education and others.[13]

Savings in Travel Cost and Time

The high-speed journey through RRTS will be offered at an affordable price leading to savings, increasing their disposable incomes and quality of life. A faster commute would free up people’s time for more productive activities.[14]


Reduced Energy Use

With the low land footprint and high throughput, RRTS will be rail-based efficient system. It will mark a modal shift in favour of public transports, reducing the use of private vehicles. Implementation of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor is expected to shift the modal share in favour of public transport from 37% to 63% in the region. A shift towards public transportation will reduce the energy use by the transport sector in the National Capital Region. This would not only lead to reduced fuel consumption in the region, but also the country’s import dependence on foreign oil.[15]

Technology

NCRTC is implementing state-of-the-art rail based rapid transit system in National Capital Region with a design speed of 180 kmph. Such a speed will necessarily require grade separated track, latest signaling and control system, to ensure high throughput and safe operation. The rolling stock will be air-conditioned and having capability of high acceleration and deceleration in a very short span. The traction power will be through uniquely designed 25 KV flexible overhead catenary traction system for elevated stations and rigid overhead catenary system for tunnels. Key technologies:

Ballastless Track[16]

Slab Track Austria system which is recognized for providing excellent riding comfort even at high-speed like 180 kmph will be used in RRTS. These tracks are being used in India for the first time. The tracks are also preferred for longer life span with less maintenance requirement. These tracks are also easy to replace.

ETCS Level 2 Signalling System [17]

ETCS Level-2 signalling system is being used globally for high-speed railway transit. The system equipped with modern signalling with virtual blocks & ATO functionality over LTE backbone is being used for first time in India. A key feature of the RRTS is interoperability of all the corridors and ETCS Level 2 makes it possible. The system can monitor train speed, direction and provide operation directives using radio block centre. Use of virtual block facilitated by ETCS Level-2 signalling eliminates any possibility of train collision.

SPEED – Systematic Program Evaluation for Efficient Delivery of Project

SPEED is NCRTC’s in-house sophisticated, robust, reliable and user-friendly platform which leverages fundamental underlying technological frameworks such as JavaScript, PHP etc. It is a monitoring and Project management Tool for reporting activities of pre- construction and construction phases of the RRTS project.

Project Cost

NCRTC will execute three rapid rail corridors to Panipat, Meerut and Alwar from the capital at an estimated cost of about ₹1,00,000 crores.[18] A 103-km stretch between Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat with an estimated cost of ₹30,000 crores. A 168-km stretch between Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar estimated to cost ₹37,500 crores and an 82 km stretch between Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut estimated to cost ₹32,500 crores.[18]

History

RRTS Project - Background

The Indian Railways had commissioned a study during 1998-99 to identify rail projects for commuter travel in NCR and Delhi. It identified RRTS for connecting NCR towns to Delhi with fast commuter trains. The proposal was re-examined in 2006 in the light of extension of Metro to some of the NCR towns. The Planning Commission formed a Task Force in 2005 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to develop a multi-modal transport system for National Capital Region (NCR). This was included in the Integrated Transport Plan for NCR 2032 with special emphasis on Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting regional centers. The Task Force identified 8 corridors and prioritised three corridors namely Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar for implementation. In March 2010, National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) appointed M/S Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut and Delhi-Panipat and M/S Urban Mass Transit Company Limited for Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar to carry out feasibility study and prepare the Detailed Project Report.

It is being taken up in three phases (I) Delhi to SNB, (II) SNB to Sotanala and (III) to Alwar. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the Delhi to SNB (Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror Urban Complex) was approved by the union government in December 2018.[19]

History of NCRTC

The National Capital Region Transport Corporations (NCRTC) came into existence in 2013. On 11 July 2013 the Union Cabinet approved constitution of National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC) under the Companies Act, 1956 with initial seed capital of ₹100 crores as per Company Act, 1956 for designing, developing, implementing, financing, operating and maintaining Regional Rapid Transit system (RRTS) in National Capital Region (NCR) to provide comfortable and fast transit to NCR towns and meet the high growth in transport demand. Accordingly, NCRTC has been incorporated on 1 August 2013.[18] This company may form subsidiary companies for implementing each corridor. The seed capital was to be contributed as follows[20]:

Government of India
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs 22.5%
Ministry of Railways 22.5%
National Capital Region Planning Board 5.0%
State Governments
Government of NCT Delhi 12.5%
Government of Uttar Pradesh 12.5%
Government of Rajasthan 12.5%
Government of Haryana 12.5%


Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

The rail-based inter- regional commuter demand in NCR is estimated to be 1.7 million passengers per day by 2032.

Phase I (Implementation)
Sl No. RRTS Corridors (Phase 1) Length (km)[21][22][23] Stations Cost[21][22][23] Construction Start[21][22][23] Completion[21][22][23] Project Updates[21][22][23]
1. Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut 82 km (51 mi) 16 ₹325,980 million (equivalent to ₹370 billion or US$5.2 billion in 2019) Jan 2019 2025 As on May 2020: The construction of India’s first Regional Rail corridor is in full swing. Construction of Viaduct Segments are in progress at Casting yards for Package 1 & 2 situated at Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. The fabrication of launching girder is near completion and is likely to be erected shortly. On the 17-km long prioritized section between Sahibabad and Duhai around 1200 piles have been laid and 20 piers erected. Viaduct superstructure will be launched soon. While this part of the corridor will become operational by 2023, the commercial operations on the entire Delhi-Meerut corridor will commence by 2025.


Priority Section has been divided into two packages – Package I (From Vaishali to Ghaziabad via Sahibabad) and Package II (From Ghaziabad to EPE). It has four stations – Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai. Construction work is underway for all the four stations.


Road widening work is underway between Duhai to Shatabdi Nagar while utility diversion and pile load test is in progress at different locations between Duhai to Modipuram. UPPTCL Electrical High-Tension line of 220kV, double-circuit at Sahibabad - Muradnagar near Arthala (Ghaziabad) has been shifted recently. It was very critical and sensitive, given the presence of double track crossing of Indian Railways. With this, a total of 17 lines have been shifted to date for the execution of the RRTS project in a time-bound manner.


Crucial bids including the construction of Depot cum Workshop near Duhai RRTS Station (Package 5A) of Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut RRTS Corridor, construction of elevated viaduct from Sarai Kale Khan station to New Ashok Nagar DN Ramp including Jangpura Entry ramp and two elevated stations viz., Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar amongst others have been invited and are under process.

2. Delhi-Panipat 135 km (84 mi) 20 ₹400,000 million (equivalent to ₹450 billion or US$6.3 billion in 2019) 2019 2025 DPR approved by NCRTC Board in Mar'20 and in consideration of State Governments for approval. Haryana Govt approved the extension of corridor upto Karnal ( as of Jan 2020).
3. Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar 164 km (102 mi) 22 ₹375,390 million (equivalent to ₹420 billion or US$5.9 billion in 2019) 2019 2025 The Detailed Project Report of Phase-1 of this corridor (Delhi-Gurugram-SNB) has been approved by the respective state governments and is under active consideration of Central government. Pre-construction work like Geo-Technical Investigation, Pile Loading Test and mapping of underground utilities are underway on this corridor.


Site offices at Gurugram and Delhi are operational and first civil construction package is in advance stages of finalisation.


BIds are invited for:

* the engagement of Detailed Design Consultant for Civil, Architectural and E &M work for the design of seven no. elevated stations (Panchgaon, Bilaspur, Dharuhera, MBIR, Rewari, Bawal and SNB and Dharuhera Depot,

* engagement for proof checking consultant for Civil, Structural Design of elevated Viaduct from Delhi (SKK) to SNB (73 Km) and 10 elevated stations and one depot at Dharuhera

* execution of enabling civil works and works related to utilities shifting such as water pipeline, stormwater drain, gas pipelines, etc. and associated electrical and telecom work between Sarai Kale Khan-IDPL Complex and IDPL Complex and SNB.

Total 56

Phase II

Corridors identified for second phase, with no budgetary approval as of July 2017, are:[24][25]

Sl No. RRTS Corridor Length (km) Stations Note
1. Delhi-Rohtak Delhi-Bhadurgarh-Rohtak ~66 km (41 mi) TBD Proposed Phase III extension to Hisar, ~94 km (58 mi)
2. Delhi-Palwal Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabgarh-Palwal ~86 km (53 mi) TBD
3. Ghaziabad-Khurja Ghaziabad-Bulandshahr- Khurja ~66 km (41 mi) TBD
4. Ghaziabad-Hapur Ghaziabad-Hapur ~40 km (25 mi) TBD
5. Delhi-Baraut Delhi-Shahadra-Baraut ~54 km (34 mi) TBD
6. Delhi-Jewar Delhi-Noida-Greater Noida-Jewar ~67 km (42 mi) TBD

Implementation

The current proposed RRTS by Government will have travel time of Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Meerut in 1 hour and Delhi-Alwar in 2 hours. This will result in facilitating seamless travel of people between the CBD and suburbs in NCR. Recently all state governments have approved the alignments of the three Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors. These corridors will connect the capital with Panipat, Meerut and Alwar. These three alignments were recommended by the National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB).

In its 36th meeting of the NCRPB held under the chairmanship of Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, the Board gave nod for implementation of three RRTS Corridors - Delhi-Alwar, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Meerut. Further, Minister Naidu said issues related to Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), a rail-based system, have been resolved and further work on these three corridors, namely, Delhi-Alwar, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Meerut could be started immediately.[26] The minister also said that Managing Director of the NCRTC, Undertaking entrusted with the implementation of the RRTS, has been appointed and implementation of RRTS corridors will commence shortly. Indian Railway officer Shri. Vinay Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Company, who assumed office in July, 2016.[27][28]

Integrated Public Transport System
Map showing the three proposed RRTS lines along with Metro and Indian Railways services

Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) across the world (USA, Europe, China, Japan, etc.) have become successful. For their best utilization and patronage, it is essential that they are tightly integrated with the other public transport by sharing the stations or having underground pedestrian passage which can connect different kinds of public transport systems, like Stockholm Central Station. Ease of use, speed of travel, one pass for all public transport and the information regarding the waiting time for the next service makes the public transport successful. Metro, Light Rail, Mono Rail, Airport link, Bus(Local and long distance), long distance Train, Bicycle Parking, Taxi and auto rickshaw all needs to be integrated to make the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) the vehicle to integrate the NCR region. Integration and seamless transfer of passengers from other public transport to the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) will determine the patronage of the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS).

Transit-oriented Development (ToD)

Many property related transactions and activities are happening in and around Delhi, especially in NCR region. The RRTS corridor development offers potential for increase in land value. Further, New development and /or townships can come around transit nodes along the corridor.

Government and NCRTC, on the lines of DMRC, is expected to explore opportunity to monetize transit-oriented development opportunities to partly finance the project cost and also fund development of future corridors.

See also

References
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