THE Indian government is fast-tracking plans to build two new Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) lines between New Delhi and the neighbouring state of Haryana. Already approved by the government’s Public Investment Board, the proposed new lines are likely to cost a total of Rs 650bn ($US 7.88bn), and are expected to shortly reach the cabinet for final approval, according to official sources.

The first line will run 93km from Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi to Bawal, closely following the alignment of National Highway 8, and will have 22 stations, serving key industrial employment areas such as Manesar and Bawal. This line is estimated to cost Rs 320bn.

Running for 136km from Sarai Kale Khan to Karnal, the second line is projected to cost Rs 330bn and will serve major towns ncluding Sonipat and Panipat. According to local media, the civil works contracts for this line will be tendered in three packages: Sarai Kale Khan - Alipur; Alipur - Samalakha; and Samalakha - Karnal.

The government has been encouraged by the initial surge in ridership on India’s first RRTS line between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram in Meerut. Daily ridership is currently averaging 55,000, a figure expected to triple to 200,000 when the entire 82km line becomes operational shortly. Forecasts suggest daily ridership could then quadruple to 800,000 within five years.

Commercial operations on the 55km section from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South began in January. “Trials on the entire line have been successfully completed and prime minister, Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the line at an early date”, says an official at the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the project’s delivery body.

Funding tools

The government proposes to employ funding mechanisms such as transit-oriented development (TOD) and value capture financing (VCF), as it did with the Delhi - Meerut RRTS, to kickstart urban development along the two new lines.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is reportedly updating its TOD policy to provide for better integration of rail infrastructure development with urban growth growth.

The additional RRTS lines will play a major role in reshaping public transport across Delhi and Haryana, reducing road congestion and enabling faster, cleaner, and more reliable journeys for commuters, an NCRTC official says.

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