Fast track rail corridors in the offing for NCR

The national capital will soon be better connected with neighbouring cities as the government is finalising dedicated rail corridors for the National Capital Region.

Termed as Regional Rapid Transit System, the three busiest routes being finalised to have dedicated corridors are Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar and Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat at an estimated cost of Rs 5000 crore (Rs 50 billion)  excluding the rolling stock.

"We will conduct a detailed feasibility study of these corridors on a priority basis," a senior Urban Development Ministry official said. The Urban Development Ministry is coordinating with the Railway Ministry and state governments of Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan to constitute the NCR Transport Corporation for implementation of the dedicated corridor project.

The Centre and the State will have equal equity of 50:50 in the project. A MoU will be signed between the Centre and states shortly to form a separate company for the purpose. Based on the ridership and growing demand, the three corridors are being finalised.

While Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad adjoining Delhi are already being connected with a Metro service, places like Panipat, Sonepat, Alwar and Meerut will be linked to the Capital city through the proposed rail corridors.