DB India to operate, maintain India’s first RRTS corridor

An official statement said that the NCRTC had signed an agreement with DB India for the operation and maintenance of the 82 km long Delhi -- Ghaziabad -- Meerut RRTS corridor.

DB India will operate and maintain the country's first Regional Rapid Transit System RRTS corridor for a period of 12 years, it said.

DB India is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, National Railway Company of Germany, with its headquarters in Berlin, the statement said.

The NCRTC, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation, is establishing India's first RRTS, which is a rail-based, high-frequency regional commuter transit system.

NCRTC MD Vinay Kumar Singh said that RRTS is a capital-intensive project, where long-term sustainability is paramount without compromising the safety and comfort of commuters.

I am certain that the experience and expertise of our operation and maintenance partner combined with advanced technology adopted by NCRTC will bring in the predictability of long-term costs, managerial efficiencies and entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector in providing quality services to commuters. The statement said Singh said that he believes that the pioneering initiative by NCRTC will lead to a paradigm shift in the whole sector and will make the sector more cost effective and competitive, thereby realizing the dream of a New India of our prime minister.

He said that this 'leapfrog initiative' will help in the path of transfer of knowledge, best international practices and managerial services that are available around the globe to the Indian metro and rail operation and the maintenance industry.

Singh said in a statement that the employment of local engineers will enable the enhancement of existing skill sets by adopting international expertise and best practices.

The 17 km long priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai is planned to be completed by 2023 and the full corridor by 2025, according to NCRTC officials.

Officials said these will be the fastest trains in India as it has a design speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 160 kmph. They said that these RRTS trains will have an average speed of 100 kmph.

The statement stated that private sector involvement will lead to operational efficiencies and optimum utilisation of assets and resources, as well as the efficient delivery of services.

The operation and maintenance O&M model developed by NCRTC will be able to give commuters world-class customer experience through the private O&M operator as well as boost domestic capacities in the sector, having a multiplier effect. The statement said that the ultimate goal is to create a superior passenger experience with seamless integration with the passenger area.

The statement said that RRTS will lead to a reduction of pollution in the region.

RRTS trains will have premium coaches and will have a QR code base ticketing system.

The 82 km long corridor has a 70 km elevated section and 12 km underground section.