New Delhi: RAPIDX is the name given to India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail service, which will operate on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors in the National Capital Region (NCR). RAPIDX stands for Rapid, Accessible, Progressive, Innovative, and extraordinary, and also signifies speed, progress, and next-generation technology.
The RRTS is a rail-based transit system that aims to provide fast, reliable, safe, and comfortable mobility across the NCR. The RRTS will have three priority corridors: Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar, and Delhi-Panipat. The RRTS trains will have a design speed of 180 kmph and an average speed of 100 kmph. The RRTS will reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, Delhi and Alwar to less than two hours, and Delhi and Panipat to less than 90 minutes.
The RAPIDX trains will have state-of-the-art features such as aerodynamic design, CCTV cameras, automatic doors, Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile charging points, luggage space, and dedicated seats for women, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers. The RAPIDX trains will also have business class coaches with reclining seats, foldable tables, infotainment screens, and sliding doors. The RAPIDX trains will be fully air-conditioned and eco-friendly, as they will run on electricity and use regenerative braking to save energy.
The RAPIDX services are expected to start in 2023 on a 17-km priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai in the Ghaziabad district. This section will have five stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot. The entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor is expected to be operational by 2025. The other two corridors are also under various stages of construction and planning.
The RAPIDX is a landmark project for India’s urban mobility sector, as it will provide a fast, convenient, and sustainable mode of transport for millions of commuters in the NCR. The RAPIDX will also boost the economic development, social integration, and environmental protection of the region.
