First Trainset For Delhi-Meerut RRTS Arrives As NCR Braces For Speedy New Rail Service

The first trainset for the Delhi Meerut RRTS system was built by French rail rolling stock manufacturer Alstom, which is best known for building India's most powerful locomotive the WAG-12. THe RRTS trainset was built at Alstom's facility in Savli, Gujarat under the 'Make in India'.

The first trainset for the RRTS line was transported from Savli to the Duhai depot near Ghaziabad aboard six different trucks. Upon arrival at the RRTS depot in Duhai, the sections of the trainset were lifted off the trailer trucks and will now be assembled at the Duhai depot.

The new 6-coach trainset is the first of 30 ordered by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) which for the 82-km RRTS section between Delhi and Meerut. In addition to this, Alstom will be delivering 10 three-coach sets that will be used for the Meerut Metro.

Once assembled, the trainset will commence testing on the 17-kilometre long 'Priority Section' of the Delhi to Meerut RRTS between Duhai and Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh. Testing is expected to commence by the end of the year while the entire section from Delhi to Meerut will become operational by 2025.

One of the major differences between the new RRTS trains and those run by Indian railways is the track gauge used. Unlike trains on Indian Railways which run on the tracks that are set 5ft 6in (1,676mm) apart, the trainsets for the routes run by the NCRTC run on tracks that are set 4ft 8½-inches (1,435mm) apart. Standard gauge is used by most Metro networks across the country and by most railway systems across the world including high speed rail services like the Bullet train in Japan.

The other major difference between the RRTS trainsets and the normal trains run on Indian Railways is they way they run. All trains on Indian Railways except for the Vande Bharat Express and local trains (DEMU, MEMU) are loco hauled. The RRTS uses the same multiple unit system seen on the Vande Bharat Express which allows for better acceleration and a more efficient way of generating power.

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS is the first of three such systems that have been approved by the government and are expected to commence operations by 2025. The Delhi-Meerut system will sport 17 stations when it opens in 2025.

The second RRTS line is 103 kilometres long and will connect Delhi with the city of Panipat in Haryana. This line will feature 16 stations. An extension to the CIty of Karnal has been proposed for this line is currently awaiting the final nod from the government.

The third and final line is the longest of the three and will connect Delhi to Gurugram, Rewari (both in Harayana) and will terminate in the city of Alwar in Rajasthan. This line is 164 kilometres long and will feature 22 stations.

Thoughts On The NCRTC RRTS System

The NCRTC's trio of RRTS lines will transform the way people travel to and from the national capital of Delhi from the neighbouring states. The RRTS trains will be among the fastest in the country when the 346-kilometre system starts operations in 2025.