Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Srinivas Katikithala on Sunday (December 2) reviewed the preparations for the commencement of operations on the Delhi section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. During his visit, he also inaugurated a solar power plant at the Ghaziabad station, according to an official statement.
Katikithala took a keen interest in how the NCRTC integrated RRTS stations with existing transport infrastructure. NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goel highlighted the use of foot overbridges, lifts, and escalators to ensure seamless connections between different modes of transport, allowing commuters to transition smoothly without having to step onto the roads.
Trial runs underway on Delhi section of RRTS corridor
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is conducting extensive trial runs on the Delhi section of the RRTS corridor as part of preparations for passenger operations. Currently, Namo Bharat trains are running on the corridor from Sahibabad to Modi Nagar North in Ghaziabad.
Notably, the New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar stations serve as prime examples of this multi-modal integration, effectively linking the RRTS with the Delhi Metro and other nearby transport options.
RRTS’s rooftop solar power plant
The newly inaugurated rooftop solar power plant at the Ghaziabad station is a significant step in NCRTC’s commitment to sustainability. This is the largest solar power installation by NCRTC to date and is part of the corporation’s broader initiative to convert its stations, depots, and substations into hubs for solar power generation, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Katikithala also took a ride on a Namo Bharat train along the operational section, experiencing the commuter-friendly features firsthand. He was given a detailed presentation on the RRTS project and briefed on the cutting-edge technologies employed, many of which are being used for the first time in India, with some even being introduced globally.
The Secretary praised NCRTC for its innovative use of advanced technologies in project execution, operational efficiency, and training.