Rapid rail to have interchanges in Ghaziabad for easier commute

The interchanges will provide integration with the Metro, roadways buses and trains.

Commuting will become easier and faster for Ghaziabad residents as the upcoming regional rapid transit system (RRTS) project has proposed interchanges that will provide integration with other modes of transport such as the Metro, buses and trains.

An interchange will also be constructed at Meerut crossing (above), near NH-58. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The officials of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) said apart from Anand Vihar, where the rapid train station will have an integration with the Metro, state buses and trains, the other interchange will be at Sahibabad in Ghaziabad.

“One of the entry-exit will also be developed at Kaushambi’s UP roadways bus stand. The next interchange will be at Sahibabad where the integration will be with the UP roadways buses. This interchange will be near the UPSRTC depot,” Sudhir Sharma, chief public relations officer (NCRTC), said.

The next interchange in Ghaziabad will be developed at the Meerut crossing near GT Road where the rapid rail will have integration with the Metro. The terminating station under the 9.41km Dilshad Garden to Ghaziabad route is being developed at New Bus Stand near Meerut Road.

After that interchange, the rapid rail corridor will move on the median of the Delhi-Meerut Road towards Meerut.

NCRTC sources said the other interchange will be developed at New Ashok Nagar in Delhi. This will benefit passengers from Noida and East Delhi.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS route spans a distance of 82 km with 24 stations. The rapid rail will have a design speed of 180 kmph and will operate at 160 kmph. It is expected to cater to nearly 7.4 lakh daily commuters as per the detailed project report. The rapid train will cover the distance in 55 minutes.

The other two RRTS routes, with an interchange at Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi, will move towards Panipat and Alwar. The NCRTC sources said trains will originate from Meerut, Panipat and Alwar.

NCRTC had said they will start the construction work on the Sahibabad to Duhai route in Ghaziabad in July. However, sources said the work will only start after the proposal gets a clearance from the public investment board’s upcoming meeting on September 5 and a final clearance from the Centre.

To save time, the NCRTC has already initiated the groundwork for utility shifting in Ghaziabad. The works include shifting of nearly 250 electricity poles out of the RRTS alignment at a cost of nearly ₹5 crore and the shifting of 70 major transmission towers.

Recently, the Ghaziabad municipal corporation, in its executive meeting held on August 27, gave the go-ahead for felling of 379 trees falling in the alignment of the project.