Meerut Metro train set unveiled, operations to start next year

GHAZIABAD: The NCRTC on Saturday unveiled the first look of the Meerut Metro. The entire RRTS corridor, along with Meerut Metro, is expected to be operational by 2025, officials said on the occasion.
While unveiling the first train set of Meerut Metro, NCRTC MD Shalabh Goel said, “Meerut Metro will revolutionise the city's transportation, enhancing connectivity, productivity, and overall quality of life.By providing a modern, reliable, and fast transit system, it will reduce travel time, alleviate traffic congestion, and foster economic growth.
NCRTC has focused on understanding the commuter needs in detail and customised the features of this new-age transit mode to ensure utmost comfort and efficient journeys for the people.”
M/s Alstom (erstwhile M/s Bombardier), which was awarded the manufacturing contract, has delivered five trainsets that are undergoing tests at the corporation’s Duhai depot.
“The Meerut Metro design encapsulates a modern aesthetic approach, prioritising optimised passenger comfort, safety, and security. The trains are air-conditioned, featuring comfortable seating, luggage racks, grab handles, USB device charging facility, and many other new-age facilities required for the convenience of modern-day commuters,” said an official from NCRTC.
“The Make in India, Meerut Metro train sets, with modern design, are energy efficient, lightweight, and equipped with a regenerative braking system, compatible with Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Automatic Train Control (ATC), and Automatic Train Operations (ATO). The Metro train has a maximum operational speed of 120 km/h and design speed being 135 km/h,” added the official.
Delhi NCR has the fastest metro rail system (MRTS) in India with an operating speed of 74 km/h and an average speed of 35 km/h. The Airport Express Line (Orange Line) of DMRC only operates at a speed of 120 km/h.
The Meerut Metro will comprise three-car trainsets. Unlike Delhi Metro, it will have ergonomically designed 2x2 transverse as well as longitudinal seating arrangements. More than 700 passengers can travel in a train.
Of the other features of Meerut Metro, the official said, “the other provisions being it will have space to carry a medical stretcher in case of emergencies, space for a wheelchair.”
M/s Alstom (erstwhile M/s Bombardier) was awarded the manufacturing contract, under which they will deliver 12 three-car trainsets for the Meerut Metro, bundled with rolling stock maintenance for 15 years.
The Meerut Metro spans 23 km, out of which 18 km is on an elevated section while the rest is underground.
There will be a total of 13 stations on the Meerut Metro line, which will also include four Namo Bharat stations. The stations being- Meerut South, Partapur, Rithani, Shatabdi Nagar, Brahmpuri, Meerut Central, Bhainsali, Begumpul, MES Colony, Daurli, Meerut North, Modipuram, and Modipuram Depot. The Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro will have the same tracks.
On the work front, the official said, “the underground tunnel construction has been completed, and finishing works are being done at all the underground stations. Track laying activities are currently in progress on the already completed tunnels and viaducts.”
The NCRTC official said the opening of the 82 km long Namo Bharat corridor, out of which 42 km is operational and 23 km of Meerut Metro, will take place in March next year.
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