Namo Bharat RRTS – Journey of New India with New Resolutions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that, “I am not in the habit of small dreams and walking slowly. I want to give a guarantee to the young generation of today that by the end of this decade, you will find Indian trains second to none in the world”. He has mentioned that the Trinity of Amrit Bharat, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat will become a symbol of modern railways by the end of this decade.

The PM highlights how an efficient transport system can reshape communities. Similar to how the Delhi Metro revolutionized Delhi, Namo Bharat aims to reshape Delhi National Capital Region in the coming decade. Despite Delhi’s already robust travel infrastructure, including a well-connected metro and extensive highway networks like the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the implementation of Namo Bharat trains, costing over Rs 30,000 crores surely raises questions about its need.

The simple answer is that before a big economic leap comes the painstaking decades-long effort to put an efficient system in place. It is a journey from cutting the bureaucratic red tapes to cutting the inaugural red tapes of critical infrastructure projects on a regular basis. China, the USA and Europe did it and are thus reaping the benefits of development. RRTS is one such system that will lead India’s developmental journey.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), a cutting-edge regional mobility solution, is on par with global standards, offering safe, reliable, and modern intercity commuting options. Aligned with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, it integrates seamlessly with rail, metro, and bus services, fostering economic growth in Delhi NCR, enhancing access to employment, education, and healthcare, while mitigating vehicular congestion and air pollution.

Delhi NCR, boasting a GDP of $370 Billion making 8% of India’s GDP is a melting pot of dreams and aspirations of 4.6 crore people and spans 55,000 sq kms area. Along with this it attracts more than a million commuters on a daily basis which are expected to increase to 1.7 million by 2032. This excessive influx of aspiring minds to Delhi NCR has led to several problems like traffic congestion, pollution, and exponential rise in property rates. Nearby areas of Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are witnessing rapid industrial and service sector

expansion. The government aims to extend this growth to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Alwar in Rajasthan, and Panipat in Haryana.

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway reduced travel time from 2 hours to 40 minutes, but many Meerut-Delhi commuters can’t afford car trips. For them, Namo Bharat trains will be a game changer, offering ample opportunities along the route.

To make India a developed economy a bunch of economically prosperous clusters must be developed. The major hurdle in this is the poor travel infrastructure India was grappling with for decades. In 2014/15, Rail projects worth Rs 6.5 lakh crore were stalled, including those for doubling, new lines, gauge conversion, traffic facilities, and electrification. The Modi Government has already spent Rs 3 lakh crores on modern trains such as Namo Bharat or metro trains. Also, in 1998-99 the Indian Railways suggested 8 RRTC corridors for better connectivity in the Delhi NCR region. It took 24 years for the project to become a reality until PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17-km priority stretch from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot in Uttar Pradesh which will further connect to Meerut which is 82 kms away and will be completed by 2025.

The RRTS, with a design speed of 180 km/hr, outpaces France’s RER (140 km/hr) and London’s CrossRail (90 km/hr), operating at 160 km/hr, heralding a transformative era in travel within Delhi NCR and positioning itself as a global frontrunner.

A total of three lines are currently under construction by the National Capital Region Planning Board. Line One, spanning from Delhi to Ghaziabad to Meerut, will cover a distance of 82.15 kilometers, with both above and below ground sections encompassing 22 stations. Line Two will connect Delhi to Gurgaon to Alwar, covering a length of 199 kilometers and also featuring 22 stations. Line Three, linking Delhi to Sonipat to Panipat, will stretch across 103 kilometers and comprise 16 stations.

In Phase two of the project, additional lines are planned, including Delhi to Jewar, Delhi to Palwal, Delhi to Rohtak, Ghaziabad to Hapur, and Delhi to Baghpat. The Finance Minister in her budget speech has also promised that the Namo Bharat trains will soon run in other metro regions of India.

The RRTS will offer faster long-distance travel compared to the Metro, with trains running every 15 minutes, ensuring higher frequency than Indian Railways. It promises superior comfort, with a model akin to those in Paris, SEPTA (US), Germany, and Austria. Each Namo Bharat train will feature 6 bogies, accommodating 1500 to 1700 passengers, serving an estimated 8 lakh commuters daily. The multipurpose tracks are expected to save approximately Rs 6300 crore as they can be used by other trains too.

RRTS trains promote passenger convenience, including amenities like overhead storage, Wi-Fi, and charging stations at every seat. There will also be a premium-class car with comfortable seating, plenty of legroom, and coat racks. According to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), private players will receive media rights, food and beverage retail spaces on stations, office floors, telecom access rights, and virtual storefronts.

An important fact is that the Namo Bharat trains are run and operated majorly by women and are 100% operated over electricity and will help India achieve carbon neutrality. A fully operational RRTS will cut private vehicle traffic by 40%, reducing pollution significantly, as half of Delhi’s pollution is vehicle-related.

Once completed it will propel Delhi into the list of cities with world class travel infrastructure making it an even more prosperous, eco-friendly and modern ecosystem. Namo Bharat, the made in India spectacle is set to revolutionize the idea of public transport and offer secure, reliable, and contemporary intercity transportation solutions in India.