Ring Railway chugs back to Capital

The Ring Railway system in the national Capital is all set to be revived soon. Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday during the Railway Budget announced that the revival of this network will help to curb the rising pollution in the Capital. Prabhu further said that the Central government will partner with the state government to develop the infrastructure. The network was Delhi’s showpiece during the 1982 Asian Games, but it lost its relevance with the emergence of new modes of mass transportation, like the Delhi Metro.

Covering 35.36 kms in the heartland areas of Delhi, this transport rail corridor in the city has 13 block stations and 9 halt stations. The stations include: Lodhi Colony, Safdarjung, Chanakyapuri, Brar Square, Sardar Patel Marg, Naraina Vihar, Kirti Nagar, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Pragati Maidan, Tilak Bridge, Shivaji Bridge, New Delhi, Sadar Bazaar, Vivekanand Puri, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Sewa Nagar, Patel Nagar, Dayabasti, Inderpuri and Kisanganj.

Out of 10 circular trains which run between Hazrat Nizamuddin to Hazrat Nizamudin in clock-wise and anti-clockwise directions respectively, five pairs are for morning services and five for evening services. The total end-to-end travel time is 90 minutes. The frequency of the services is 60-90 minutes in the evening and morning peak hours.

It was a simple ‘mass rapid transit system’. By August 1982, the system had a double line, shortening the travel time with clockwise and anti-clockwise trips, and the engines were electric locos. 

While the Delhi Metro rail network has a ridership of more than 22 lakh passenger per day (approx) the Ring Railway system also known as Delhi Sub-Urban Railway, has only 3,700 ridership daily. The Ring Railway service was introduced in the late ’70s so that a large number of goods trains originating, terminating, or passing through the city could bypass the main passenger stations of New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin.

“Delhi, our national Capital, is under severe stress from rising pollution levels and can be provided relief by reviving the Ring Railway system comprising 21 stations. We will partner with the state government to develop this infrastructure,” said Prabhu.

Meanwhile, Delhi transport minister said he had a meeting with Railway minister to revive the Ring Railway service on December 11, 2015. He further said he had written a letter to Railway minister on January 21 to address this matter. Later Rai received a reply from the Railway minister on February 2. Rai said the Delhi government will cooperate with the Railway minister to revive this mode of transport.