PM flags off rapid rail transit system
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the 17-km priority section of the Delhi-ghaziabad-meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) at Sahibabad’s Rapidx station.
Of the 82.15 km route, the priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot was inaugurated and will be available for passenger operations from Saturday, i.e., October 21. The entire corridor is expected to be operational by June 2025.
Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on the occasion that the trains of the RRTS would be known as ‘Namo Bharat’. The foundation of the larger Delhi-meerut corridor was laid by Modi in March 2019.
The prime minister took a ride in a “Namo Bharat” train and formally dedicated to the nation, two Bengaluru metro stretches connecting Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapuram and Kengeri to Challaghata.
These two metro stretches were opened for the public from Oct.9 for the convenience of the people commuting on this corridor, without waiting for formal inauguration.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said it was a historic moment for the nation as India’s first rapid rail service, the “Namo Bhara” train was being dedicated to the people.
He recalled laying the foundation stone for the Delhi-ghaziabad-meerut RRTS Corridor four years ago and marked its operation today on the Sahibabad-duhai Depot stretch.
Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to inaugurate the projects whose foundation stones had been laid and expressed confidence that he would be present to inaugurate the Meerut stretch of the RRTS ater 18 months.
The prime minister shared his experience of travelling in the “Namo Bharat” and expressed delight at the transformation of the Railways in the country.
“India of the 21st century is writing its own saga of progress and development in every sector”, the Modi said.
He mentioned the recent success of Chandrayaan 3 and also touched upon the successful organisation of G20 which has made India a centre of atraction for the entire world.
The prime minister also mentioned the recordbreaking performance of Indian sportspersons who bagged more than a hundred medals at the Asian Games, the launch and expansion of 5G in India, and the record number of digital transactions taking place.