Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot in Uttar Pradesh

Highlights:

• It is India’s first mass rapid system dedicated to regional connectivity and inaugurated as ‘priority section’ of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.
• The RRTS is modelled on systems RER in Paris, Regional-Express trains in Germany and Austria as well as the SEPTA Regional Rail in the United States, among others.
• The entire corridor is expected to be operational by 2025.

What is the RRTS project?

• With semi high-speed rail connectivity at its core, the RRTS is an integrated, mass transit network that aims to ensure “balanced and sustainable urban development” through better connectivity and access across the NCR.

Who built the Namo Bharat, which PM Modi will inaugurate?

• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, has constructed the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) also known as Namo Bharat.
• The body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is mandated with implementing the RRTS project

How is the RRTS different from existing metro or railways systems?

• RRTS network is faster with longer distances across the NCR in a short time than metros
• It is relatively caters smaller distances in comparison with higher frequency railways .

What is the objective behind the RRTS project?

• To enhance multi-modal connectivity at the existing transportation hubs within it.
• Helps to decongest road/highways as well as existing metro and railway networks.
• Project aims to give a push to employment generation and the opening up of newer commercial hubs along the current contours of the NCR
• It allows more citizens residing in regional centres located in Delhi’s suburbs to be a part of economic activity in the capital without the relocation of their workplace or place of business.

Which corridors are being developed under the RRTS project?

• Eight corridors will be developed under the project, three are being constructed under phase I: Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar, and Delhi-Panipat corridors.
• The corridors to be developed in future include Delhi – Faridabad – Ballabgarh – Palwal, Ghaziabad – Khurja, Delhi – Bahadurgarh – Rohtak, Ghaziabad-Hapur and Delhi-Shahadra-Baraut.