ADB Approved USD 1 billion loan for Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, a 1st of its kind in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 1 billion (about Rs 7,485 crore) loan to construct the modern, high-speed 82-kilometer Delhi – Meerut, Uttar Pradesh Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India, a first of its kind in India. The finance of the Delhi- Meerut RRTS project will be given in 4 tranches between August 2020 and May 2025. The NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC) will execute the project. 

Key Info

i.The Delhi-Meerut RRTS network is the 1st of three priority rail corridors in the country’s integrated transport network under the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Plan 2021.

ii.The project will be implemented in phases between the cities and is expected to be open by March 2025.

iii.The project will finance the construction of railway tracks, station buildings, maintenance facilities, and traction and power supply.

About the Project

i.Aim

To ease congestion in the city and improve regional connectivity by establishing transit options through the densely populated sections of the NCR connecting Delhi to Meerut.

Note- Delhi accounts for 37% of the population of the NCR.

ii.Significance

• It will also provide safe, reliable and seamless travel between Delhi and other NCR cities and lead to a paradigm shift in mobility across the NCR.
• It is expected to deliver integrated transformational impacts and a better urban environment through systematic urban and land use planning and reduced carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. 

iii.Use High Technology

The RRTS will use advanced, high tech(technology) signaling systems based on latest standards and will have multimodal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other modes of transport.

iv.Design of the station

The design of the stations will feature and consider the needs of the children, elderly, women, and differently abled.

Other Finance

i.Besides ADB, the Government of India will provide USD 1.89 billion and the  co-financiers are expected to provide USD 1 billion of the total project cost of USD 3.94 billion.

ii.The USD 3 million grant from ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will support various activities, including provision of visual, hearing and mobility aids, such as wheelchairs for differently abled persons.

iii.In addition to this, training will be given to women and differently abled on safe mobility & employment opportunities and behavioral change for public transport providers

Additional Info

i.The NCRTC has first identified a priority stretch of 17km in Ghaziabad (Sahibabad to Duhai) for which work had started in the first phase. 

ii.Apart from this, the work has also started for another 33km from Duhai to Shatabdipuram in Meerut.

iii.The priority section is scheduled for commissioning in March, 2023.

Recent Related News:

i.ADB approves 1.5 billion(Rs.11,400 crore) USD to India to Combat COVID-19.

ii.Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) approved a 2nd loan of USD 750 million to India under the bank’s USD 10 billion COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility(CRF); this loan is co-financed by the ADB to assist India to fight against COVID-19 & its impact on poor.

About ADB
Headquarters– Mandaluyong, Philippines 
President– Masatsugu Asakawa
Members- 68 countries