Prime Minister Narendra Modi is renowned for his strategic decisions that resonate with the people, and now, he's set to bring a delightful gift to Delhi. As the elections draw near, his visionary plans are unfolding. The great news is that India's first regional train service, RapidX, is all set to commence operations on a 17-kilometer stretch, starting from October 20. PM Modi himself will inaugurate this remarkable section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad. The entire corridor is scheduled to be fully operational by 2025.

On October 12, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally inspected the Sahibabad station of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project in anticipation of the opening. Commuter services on this Priority Section of the rapid rail system are officially commencing on October 21, covering a 17-kilometer stretch with five stations.

Developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the RRTS aims to revolutionize urban mobility in the region. The entire transit system will span 82 kilometers, encompassing a total of 24 stations between Delhi and Meerut. Of these, five stations are part of the priority section, including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and the Duhai Depot.

This high-speed regional rail service will slash the travel time from Delhi to Meerut to just 60 minutes, and the project has been realized at a cost of 30,274 crore. Financial support has been provided by institutions like the Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. These RRTS trains are designed with commuter convenience in mind, offering amenities such as overhead luggage racks, Wi-Fi, and mobile and laptop charging facilities at each seat. Each train set will include one premium class car with wider seats, extra legroom, and coat hangers, along with vending machine facilities.

The Rapid Train System will provide various ticketing options, including digital tickets with QR codes and the use of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) Card, as confirmed by NCRTC. Paper tickets with QR codes and ticket vending machines (TVMs) will also be available. Children under 90 cm in height can travel for free on RapidX trains, following the rules.

RapidX is designed to operate at high speeds, capable of reaching up to 180 kmph, though its permitted operational speed will be approximately 160 kmph, maintaining an average speed of 100 kmph.

Each air-conditioned RapidX train set has a maximum capacity of 1700 passengers, including standing-room-only travelers. With six coaches designed in a 2x2 layout, one luxury coach and five regular coaches will be available, with one of the regular coaches dedicated to women.

Additionally, a 'Lost and Found' center has been established at the Ghaziabad Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) station, aimed at expediting the retrieval of misplaced belongings, as confirmed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). This new addition aims to enhance passenger experience and convenience.