The regional rapid transit system (RRTS), being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), is a rail-based high speed, high-capacity and safe commuter service connecting regional nodes, which is expected to reduce road congestion, energy consumption and pollution. It is slightly different from the existing mass rapid transit system (MRTS), also known as the metro rail transit. The RRTS covers both intercity and intra-city travel through semi-high-speed trains covering a distance of 20-150 km, while MRTS covers intra-city travel through metro trains covering a distance of 10-25 km. The RRTS is already operational in many international cities and is now being introduced in India. However, as of now, both RRTS and high speed rail are at the nascent stages of implementation.
RRTS in NCR
As per the Functional Plan on Transport for National Capital Region (NCR) 2032, NCRTC is tasked with developing around eight corridors across the NCR. Of these, three corridors have been prioritised in Phase I, including Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut (with a total length of 82 km), Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat (103 km) and Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar (198 km). Phase II of the project comprises Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabgarh-Palwal (60 km), Ghaziabad-Khurja (83 km), Delhi-Bahadurgarh-Rohtak (70 km), Ghaziabad-Hapur (57 km) and Delhi-Shahdra-Baraut (56 km).
All three RRTS corridors under Phase I are interoperable corridors with a design speed of 180 kmph and an operating speed of 160 kmph. This positions them as a semi-high-speed system, with speeds higher than the metro but lower than high speed rail. Trains operate at frequencies of 5-10 minutes, with traffic nodes spaced 5-10 km apart. Due to fewer traffic nodes and higher speed, the RRTS covers around three times more distance in one hour than MRTS. However, the key advantage provided by NCRTC is the development of interoperable corridors. This ensures that commuters can travel seamlessly between corridors without having to change trains.
NCRTC’s capital structure and RRTS project funding
The capital structure for NCRTC is somewhat different from MRTS. This is because there are four participating states in RRTS, while only one state participates in MRTS. The paid-up equity capital of Rs 1 billion includes a contribution of 50 per cent from the Indian government, while the remaining share is divided equally among the other participating state governments, that is, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The project funding includes government funding in the form of grants and subordinate debt in the ratio of 1:2 (in lieu of equity). To prevent distortion of the capital structure, a distinction has been established between NCRTC’s capital structure and the funding structure for the RRTS project. For instance, in the case of the Delhi-Meerut corridor, contributions from participating states come from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, and not from the other states. Therefore, the corridor’s capital structure is kept separate from the main company’s capital structure.
Leveraging advanced technology
Project implementation: The RRTS employs advanced project planning and monitoring tools, including Primavera P6 and SPEED. SPEED is an in-house tool developed by NCRTC, which has also been provided to organisations such as Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited and Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Further, NCRTC has leveraged building information modelling (BIM) since its first day of operations. To review BIM models, the common data environment (CDE) platform has also been implemented. CDE is a BIM-enabled electronic document management system through which data from BIM is transferred to asset management systems, which helps in managing the project for its entire life cycle and not just the construction phase.
Operations: NCRTC became the first organisation globally to implement the European Train Control System Level 2 over the long term evolution network, which is also integrated with platform screen doors. The RRTS leverages ballastless precast slab-track technology, leading to faster construction and lower maintenance requirements. Additionally, NCRTC has successfully integrated metro operations with RRTS infrastructure – a first-of-a-kind initiative. This will enable metro trains to operate on the same infrastructure as RRTS trains, saving the public exchequer a staggering amount of Rs 63 billion.
Ticketing: NCRTC has been utilising the national common mobility card since its operations began. It employs an open-loop system for automatic fare collection (AFC), enabling ticket payments through multiple payment channels, such as QR codes, contactless cards and the mobile application (RRTS Connect). Further, NCRTC has signed an MoU with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to enable ticket booking for the RRTS through the mobile applications of these organisations.
Enhancing private sector participation
A comprehensive 12-year operations and maintenance contract has been awarded to Deutsche Bahn India, in line with the Metro Rail Policy, 2017. The benefits include predictable long-term costs and managerial efficiencies. Further, a supply contract bundled with a 15-year maintenance agreement has been awarded to Alstom India for the procurement and maintenance of the rolling stock. This will optimise life cycle costs through efficient maintenance. The implementation of the AFC system has been divided into two contracts – system integrator and financial integrator. Additionally, the public-private partnership hybrid annuity model has been adopted.
Multimodal integration
The NCRTC aims to achieve multimodal integration by connecting the RRTS with the MRTS, airports, railways and other transport modes. The corridors will be connected to multiple MRTS lines, including DMRC at Ghaziabad, Anand Vihar, New Ashok Nagar, INA, Aerocity, Indraprastha, and Kashmere Gate; the Meerut metro at Begumpul; the Gurgaon Rapid Metro at Udyog Vihar; and the Bawal metro at Panchgaon. Further, the corridors will also be connected to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and the Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar railway stations, and interstate bus terminals at Sarai Kale Khan, Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. The three corridors under Phase I will converge at the Sarai Kale Khan station. Additionally, the RRTS will be connected to major road networks, such as the Ring Road, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the Delhi-Meerut expressway.
Green initiatives
NCRTC has set a target to source 60 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources. Of the total solar rooftop potential of 11 MWp identified in the Delhi-Meerut corridor, 4 MWp of solar capacity has already been installed, which is expected to reduce 4,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and save Rs 18 million in electricity costs. Further, four of NCRTC’s RRTS stations have received a platinum rating and two stations have been certified as net zero by the Indian Green Building Council. NCRTC anticipates that regenerative braking in rolling stock will result in energy savings of up to 30 per cent at the equipment level, while regeneration in lifts installed at stations will lead to energy savings of 22 per cent.
Upcoming and planned corridors
Detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared and submitted for the following projects: the 107 km-long Delhi-SNB RRTS corridor with an estimated travel time of 70 minutes, the 103 km Delhi-Panipat RRTS corridor with an estimated travel time of 72 minutes, and the Jewar RRTS-cum-metro corridor – an elevated integrated RRTS cum metro corridor spanning 72 km and featuring 22 stations – 11 RRTS cum metro stations and 11 metro stations – with provisions for an additional 13 metro stations in the future. Additionally, the DPR is being prepared for the Gurugram-Faridabad-Noida corridor spanning 53 km.
Based on remarks and a presentation by Rajat Gosain, Group General Manager, Planning, NCRTC, at a recent India Infrastructure conference
