RapidX

For the trainsets used in RapidX services, see RapidX (trainset).

The RapidX, also known as the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), is a semi-high-speed regional rail system operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in India's National Capital Region (NCR). The goal of the RapidX is to provide a dedicated rail transit network between Delhi and the other cities of the NCR.

RapidX
Overview
Service type	Semi-high speed rail Regional rail
Status	Under development
First service	15 August 2023 (2023-08-15)
Website	ncrtc.in
Route
Line(s) used	8 (planned) 1 (to be commissioned)
On-board services
Class(es)	Economy class Business class Women's class
Seating arrangements	Airline style
Observation facilities	Large windows for panoramic view
Entertainment facilities	On-board WiFi electric outlets
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks
Other facilities	Reclining seats Magazine holders CCTV cameras Smoke alarms Fire extinguishers Dynamic route display maps Grab handles Vending machine Controlled ambient lighting Door status indicators Wide gangway
Technical
Rolling stock	RapidX
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speed	180 km/h (110 mph)
Average length	384 metres (1,260 ft) (16 coaches) 192 metres (630 ft) (8 coaches)
Rake maintenance	Duhai Depot, Duhai, Uttar Pradesh

History

The plan for a regional rapid transit service to connect Delhi with nearby towns was proposed in the late 1990s by Indian Railways. In 2006, When the Delhi Metro was expanding, the plan was under consideration as a part of Delhi Metro's expansion to nearby lying towns. The government later formed National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in 2013 to take up the implementation of eight planned Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) that would decongest Delhi within the 100–200 km radius of the region.

In April 2023, the NCRTC branded RRTS services as RapidX.

Features

Integration

To provide commuters with convenient, seamless travel experiences, the three phase-1 RapidX corridors, Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut; Delhi – Panipat; and Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar, will converge at Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan and will be interoperable, in the sense that trains will be able to move from one corridor to another. This will facilitate commuter travel from one corridor station to another without requiring train changes, thus enabling commuters to leave their private vehicles and switch to the RapidX.

RapidX stations will be integrated wherever possible with other modes of public transport, such as airports, Indian Railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, and Delhi Metro stations. Such integration will facilitate seamless commuter transfers from one mode of public transportation to another, thereby encouraging the use of public transport systems. While the RapidX will act as a backbone for regional transportation, Delhi Metro lines will complement the RapidX by acting as feeder lines. The Sarai Kale Khan RapidX station will be a mega-terminal where all three Phase-I RapidX corridors will merge.

Multimodal integration of RapidX stations

RapidX station	Integration
Ghaziabad	New Bus Adda
New Ashok Nagar	New Ashok Nagar metro station
Anand Vihar	Anand Vihar metro station, Anand Vihar ISBT, UPSRTC bus depot (Kaushambi), and Anand Vihar Terminal railway station
Sarai Kale Khan	Sarai Kale Khan – Nizamuddin metro station, Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, and ISBT Sarai Kale Khan
INA	Dilli Haat – INA metro station
Aerocity	Indira Gandhi International Airport and IGI Airport metro station
Udyog Vihar	Proposed extension of Rapid Metro Gurgaon
Kherki Dhaula toll	Proposed Bawal Metro and proposed bus terminus
Panchgao	Proposed Bawal Metro, proposed ISBT, and proposed multimodal hub
Bawal	Bawal bus stand

Facilities

Business class: Each RapidX train will have a separate business coach. This will encourage business class commuters to switch to public transport for intercity travel.

Comfortable travel: The air-conditioned RapidX coaches will have transverse seating arrangements with overhead luggage space and Wi-Fi connections, among other modern amenities.

Women's coach: Each RapidX train will have a separate coach for women travellers, just like the Delhi Metro.

Universal accessibility: The entire infrastructure of the RapidX, including stations and trains, will be designed with universal accessibility in mind.

Cargo handling

In order to maximize the utilization of the RapidX system, the routes will also be used for moving cargo during non-peak hours. Goods such as perishable ones are expected to avail benefits from the service. It is expected to reduce the pollution footprint after decongesting the road between the two cities by taking out trucks. The trainset depots of the system are set to be equipped with warehouses and other cargo handling facilities.

Technology

The NCRTC is implementing a state-of-the-art rail-based rapid transit system in the NCR with a design speed of 180 km/h. Such a design speed will necessarily require the installation of grade-separated tracks and the latest signalling and control systems to ensure high throughput and safe operation. The rolling stock (train cars) will be air-conditioned and capable of fast acceleration and deceleration in a very short time span. Traction power will be delivered through a uniquely designed 25 kV flexible overhead catenary traction system for elevated stations and a rigid overhead catenary system for tunnels.

Rolling stock

Main article: RapidX (trainset)

The trains for the service were specially developed for a fast and comfortable regional commute. The lightweight stainless steel body of the RapidX train with aerodynamic nose allows for reducing air drag at higher speeds (180 km/h). The train was designed in Alstom's engineering centre in Hyderabad and was manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli.

Track and signalling

Ballastless track

Further information: Ballastless track

A Slab Track Austria system, recognized for providing excellent riding comfort even at high speeds of 180 km/h. These tracks are being used in India for the first time. The tracks are also preferred for their longer life span, reduced maintenance requirements, and ease of replacement.

ETCS Level 2 signalling system

Further information: European Train Control System

The ETCS Level-2 signalling system is used globally for high-speed railway transit. The system is equipped with modern signalling with virtual blocks & ATO functionality over an LTE backbone and is being used for the first time in India. A key feature of the RRTS is the interoperability of all the corridors, and ETCS Level-2 makes this possible. The system can monitor train speed and direction and provide operational directives using a radio block centre. Use of a virtual block facilitated by ETCS Level-2 signalling eliminates any possibility of train collision.

Construction technology

SPEED – Systematic Program Evaluation for Efficient Delivery of Project

SPEED is NCRTC's in-house, sophisticated, robust, reliable, and user-friendly monitoring and project management platform for reporting activities of the pre-construction and construction phases of the RRTS. SPEED leverages technological infrastructure frameworks such as JavaScript, PHP, etc.

Common Data Environment (CDE)

A CDE is implemented to maintain a common repository for all construction and pre-construction drawings and technical documents. It enables collaboration and sharing of updated information, documents, and drawings in real-time to achieve a single source of truth across an organization, manage the design, define and implement workflows, and monitor progress actions across the organization.

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Further information: Building information modeling

BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to effectively plan, design, construct, and manage buildings, infrastructure, and outdoor structures and elements. Project-related components like walls, doors, etc., are modelled in 3D using various BIM software. BIM offers a realistic 3D model, giving a true sense of how the actual structure will look. All the RRTS stations are currently being designed and developed using a BIM platform.

Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS)

A CORS network system, including its control station, is being installed by the NCRTC to increase geolocation accuracy in the civil construction survey work. This system provides real-time, precise coordinates for measured locations and is capable of ensuring 5 – 10 mm accuracy in the geolocation of points, whereas regular GPS can only provide location accuracy of up to 10 to 15 metres. This eliminates cumulative errors in civil construction and results in better alignment, acting as a life cycle management solution for the project.

Network

Map showing the three proposed RapidX lines, along with Delhi Metro and Indian Railways services

Summary

  Under construction
  Approved
  Proposed

Route	Locale	Length	Construction began	Opening	Notes
Delhi–Meerut	Delhi and Uttar Pradesh	82 km (51 mi)	January 2019	June 2023	Fully operational by 2025.
Delhi–Alwar	Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan	164 km (102 mi)	TBD 2023	2025	Pre-construction works are underway.
Delhi–Panipat	Delhi and Haryana	103 km (64 mi)	TBD	2025	Detailed Project Report (DPR) awaiting approval.
Hyderabad–Warangal	Telangana	TBD	TBD	TBD	Proposed
Hyderabad–Vijayawada	Telangana and Andhra Pradesh	TBD	TBD	TBD	Proposed
Vijaywada–Amaravati–Guntur–Tenali	Andhra Pradesh	TBD	TBD	TBD	Proposed

See also

• Urban rail transit in India
• High-speed rail in India
• Dedicated freight corridors in India
• Vande Bharat Express

External links

• ncrtc.in