Ghaziabad: India’s first Rapid Rail corridor between Delhi and Meerut called RapidX is all set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, confirmed official sources.
According to officials, in the first phase, a 17-km section between Sahibabad and Duhai will become operational. The next section will see operations extended by another 25 kms, from Duhai to Meerut South.
The 17-km corridor will have five stations - Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot. It will take around 12 minutes to complete this distance and is expected to be majorly used by office goers and students.
Initially, a total of 10 trains will be operational on this route with six coaches and a single train will have capacity of 1,700 passengers.
Full fledged operations on the entire 82-km corridor from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Meerut are expected in 2025.
While it has been officially confirmed that the RapidX will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi this week, however, the date has not been confirmed yet.
There will be tight security arrangements at the PM’s public meeting venue in Vasundhara of Sector 8 in Ghaziabad with three-tier security.
“The security will be looked after by SPG, commandos and paramilitary and police. Every person will be checked by installing 30 Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD) at the meeting place,” said a senior Ghaziabad police officer.
The Prime Minister will also launch a mobile application of RapidX through which tickets can be booked and all the information will be made available.
This app will have all the options including booking tickets, complaining about lost luggage, and facilities available at the station.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has created the app named RapidX Connect. Passengers will also get the facility of station navigation in the app.
To use this feature, passengers will have to scan the QR code installed at the nearest station after clicking on the navigation option.
Officials said that after first phase inauguration, efforts will be made for the expansion to connect it from Duhai to Jewar International Airport in Greater Noida.
After Delhi to Meerut, its second part will be built from Duhai to Noida International Airport. People from western Uttar Pradesh will get direct access to the airport and it will become easy for them to board flights. The developing agencies are exploring the route and once it is decided a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared.