India is gearing up for the launch of RAPIDX, the country’s inaugural regional train service, set to begin operations on a 17-kilometer section this month, according to The Economic Times. This significant milestone marks the completion of work at all five stations along the route, namely Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and the Duhai Depot, as confirmed by a senior government official.
Part of the ambitious Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project, trains on the RAPIDX service are expected to reach a maximum speed of 160 kmph. In addition to the priority section, a 42-kilometer viaduct between Sahibabad and Meerut South Station has also been successfully constructed.
Following the initial section, the subsequent 25 km-long stretch, comprising Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, and Meerut South stations, is scheduled to be commissioned, according to the report. The RRTS construction, initiated in June 2019 by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), aims to make the entire 82 km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut stretch, along with Metro services in Meerut, operational for the public by 2025, the official added.
Funding for the project, estimated at ₹30,274 crore, involves co-financing from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and New Development Bank (NDB).
To ensure inclusivity and safety, RAPIDX will introduce a dedicated women’s coach on every train. On the journey from Delhi to Meerut, the women’s coach will be the second coach after the premium coach. Conversely, while traveling from Meerut to Delhi, it will be the second-to-last coach. Each reserved women’s coach will accommodate up to 72 passengers and will be equipped with diaper-changing facilities at every station. Clear signage will be installed on platforms and train doors to identify these coaches.
The name “RAPIDX” has been chosen for the train service due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation across various languages. According to NCRTC officials, the name signifies speed, progress, and next-generation technology, representing the youth, optimism, and energy associated with the project.
The NCRTC, a joint venture company of the central government and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is spearheading the development of this semi-high-speed regional rail service across the National Capital Region (NCR).
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