People of Meerut have been eagerly waiting for the commencement of the metro operations in the city and their desire to travel in one is going to turn into reality very soon.
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The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the implementing agency of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor and Meerut Metro, today received the first trainsets for intra-city operations in the Western UP city. The first look of the Meerut Metro trainsets was unveiled today at Alstom’s Savli plan in Gujarat during an event when the NCRTC got the delivery of the trainsets.
Meerut Metro Trains
The trainsets were handed over to the NCRTC MD Vinay Kumar Singh by Alston while Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Hardeep Singh Puri attended the event virtually. Addressing the gathering, Puri said, “Since 2014, the government has laid emphasis on improving the quality of services offered to urban dwellers. Establishing a robust public transportation system in metropolitan cities is a fundamental aspect of our vision for India’s urban rejuvenation. From a meagre 248 km of operational Metro lines in 2014, we have increased India’s state-of-the-art Metro network to 905 km today. RRTS & MRTS are vital components of this ongoing transformation. The tremendous progress made so far has incentivized us to achieve the target of making India the second largest Metro network in the world, even more quickly.”
RRTS-Meerut Metro On Same Infra
The NCRTC MD said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has seen tremendous growth in infrastructure development in the past few years and this enabling environment has facilitated the implementation of several transformative projects including the country’s first RRTS. “Both Namo Bharat trains and Meerut metro will run on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS infrastructure. The prospect of two distinct systems, RRTS and MRTS, operating concurrently on a single infrastructure is a vision now materializing. NCRTC has implemented the European Train Control system (ETCS) Level 2 signalling with Hybrid Level 3 over Long Term Evolution (LTE), marking a pioneering endeavour in global rail transportation. It seamlessly integrates the RRTS and metro services within Meerut, allowing for closer headways and increased service frequency,” said the MD.
The Meerut Metro project endeavours to offer a secure, rapid, and contemporary transportation option for the inhabitants of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. As the delivery of Meerut Metro trainsets kicks off, preparations for trial runs are set to begin shortly.
Features of the Meerut Metro Trainsets
The design of the Meerut Metro embodies a contemporary aesthetic, placing emphasis on maximizing passenger comfort, safety, and security. The air-conditioned trains are equipped with amenities such as plush seating, luggage racks, grab handles, USB device charging ports, and other modern conveniences essential for today’s commuters.
• The Meerut Metro will comprise of three (3) Car Train sets. It will have an ergonomically designed 2×2 transverse as well as longitudinal seating arrangement. More than 700 passengers can travel in a train.
• State-of-the-art Modern Light Weight, Stainless steel coaches.
• Comfortable standing space, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, mobile charging facility, dynamic route maps, infotainment system, illumination-based auto control ambient lighting system and other amenities.
• Total adherence to safety by synchronizing Metro operation with Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) at all stations ensuring better crowd management.
• Selective door opening via push buttons to reduce energy consumption, and safety measures like emergency egress devices, fire extinguishers, alarms, and talk-back systems are integrated.
• Provision of space to carry medical stretcher in case of emergencies, space for wheelchair.
Meerut Metro Route
The Meerut Metro corridor extends across a distance of 23 km, encompassing 13 stations, with 18 km elevated and 5 km underground sections. Of these, 9 stations are elevated, 3 are underground, and one, the depot station, will be at grade level. The stations include Meerut South, Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Brahampuri, Meerut Central, Bhaisali, Begumpul, MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North, Modipuram, and Modipuram Depot.
Additionally, four metro stations will offer Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) services, facilitating seamless interchange between RRTS and Metro services. These stations are Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram.
Construction Status Of Delhi-Meerut RRTS
Construction of the RRTS corridor and the Meerut Metro is going at a rapid pace with stations taking final shapes. The underground tunnel construction has been completed, and finishing touches are underway at the underground stations. Track laying activities are currently ongoing on completed tunnels and viaducts. Approximately 12 km of the 18 km elevated section’s viaduct construction has been finished, aided by the installation of over 10 launching gantries (Tarini) to expedite construction along the remaining section.
Priority Corridor Inauguration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the 17-kilometer-long priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot of Delhi-Meerut RRTS and flagged off the first Namo Bharat train on October 20 last year. The 17 km long stretch between Duhai and Modinagar North station is the next section of the RRTS corridor set to be operationalized for the public. This section encompasses a total of 3 stations: Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar South and Modi Nagar North. Currently, the trial runs are being conducted and it is expected to be operationalized for passenger operation very soon.
Alstom, formerly known as Bombardier, had secured the manufacturing contract to produce 10 three-car trainsets for the Meerut Metro, along with a bundled maintenance service for a duration of 15 years. These trainsets boast a contemporary and streamlined design, emphasizing energy efficiency and lightweight construction.
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Equipped with a regenerative braking system, they are designed to be compatible with Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Automatic Train Control (ATC), and Automatic Train Operations (ATO) systems. Operating at a maximum speed of 120 kmph, these Metro trains promise a seamless and efficient commuting experience for passengers.
