RRTS: Integrated trials in final stage on 17km section in Ghaziabad

The 82km RRTS project is being developed by NCR transport corporation (NCRTC) at a cost of ₹30,274 crore. The project connects three cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut with the help of high-speed trains

The test runs and the fully integrated trial runs on the 17km priority section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) has entered the final stages, and all teams are working round-the-clock to bring the system to the “operational state” by end of March, officials in the know of the matter said on Thursday.

The NCRTC initiated the first test run this January and these were later integrated with trial runs and then the fully integrated trial run with the help of the European train control system (ETCS) level 2 signalling. (Sakib Ali /HT PHOTO)

The 82km RRTS project is being developed by NCR transport corporation (NCRTC) at a cost of ₹30,274 crore. The project connects three cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut with the help of high-speed trains. A 17km section in Ghaziabad is being developed on priority and will be the country’s first RRTS stretch to open by its scheduled deadline of June 2023.

Officials, however, said they are trying to make the priority section operational even before the scheduled deadline.

The NCRTC initiated the first test run this January and these were later integrated with trial runs and then the fully integrated trial run with the help of the European train control system (ETCS) level 2 signalling, officials said.

“The trial runs and the fully integrated trial runs are in the final stages. The outcome reports are being compiled and will be soon sent to the commissioner of metro rail safety (CMRS) for a final inspection. The fully integrated trial runs with signalling have also been taken up during the course. A majority of trial runs have taken place at night with the help of seven RRTS trains that were run at a designed speed of 180 kilometres per hour (kmph),” said an officer from NCRTC, asking not to be named.

The eighth RRTS train is also expected to arrive at Ghaziabad’s Duhai Depot soon. The 17km priority section is fully elevated and has stations in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad city, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot, officials said.

The Ghaziabad district has three more stations in Muradnagar, Modinagar (North) and Modinagar (South).

When contacted, NCRTC’s chief public relations officer Puneet Vats said, “Trial runs along with test runs are in the advanced stages and integrated trial run reports are along the expected lines. There are multiple teams carrying out the necessary work to make the system ready by March and to bring it to the operational state. The construction of stations is complete and finishing works are going on.”

Officials said various components such as safety, trains, physical structures, track components, overhead equipment and even platform screen doors have been tested during the trials.

The project has 25 stations with 22 falling under the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad and Meerut, while three are in Delhi.