Common metro network for NCR cities proposed

Much on the lines of the high-speed rail links between European cities, the National Capital Region (NCR) may soon get a common metro system covering Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP. The government has ordered a feasibility study for the Regional Rail Transit System (RRTS) and detailed project reports (DPRs) for two stretches — Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat and Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut. For the RRTS, the plan is to lay new railway lines parallel to the existing lines on which inter-city and long-distance trains operated by Northern Railways run. The lines will break near important cities and connect to the business centres, bus stations and other important points before joining back the main track. The trains running on the lines will be special too — designed for these corridors to give a fast, comfortable and smooth journey. The corridors will be linked to Delhi Metro, buses and cycles as feeder systems. ‘‘A special company will be formed by the ministry of urban development (MoUD), National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) and the state governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to implement this project. Of the three corridors planned, Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System (DIMTS) is making DPR for two corridors while Urban Mass Transit Company limited (UMTC) will be carrying out the study for the Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar corridor. The studies will be completed by March 2011,’’ said a DIMTS spokesperson. RRTS will be a dedicated suburban rail-based transit system like the EMUs. Said Rajeev Malhotra, chief regional planner, NCRPB: ‘‘It has been decided to undertake preparation of feasibility study and detailed project report (DPR) for the three corridors namely — Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut (67km), Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar (158km) and Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat (89km) — on priority basis. Total estimated length of the proposed three corridors is 314km. The project cost has been estimated at Rs 5,000 crore.’’ The routes were decided after MoUD and NCRPB conducted a study on Integrated Transportation Plan for the NCR, with a 2032 horizon. The study recommended a rail-based rapid transit system to solve the inter-city transportation issues.