Source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/good-news-for-ghaziabad-noida-extension-residents-rapid-rail-plan-finalised-for-noida-airport-here-are-details-about-stations-route/articleshow/109161677.cms?from=mdr
Publisher: The Economic Times
The NCR Transport Corporation has presented its conclusive report for the 72.3km RRTS-cum-metro corridor stretching from Ghaziabad rapid rail station to Noida International Airport (NIA), expected to be operational by April 2030.
Ghaziabad to Noida Airport on 37 minutes
This corridor aims to significantly reduce travel time between various destinations. Upon completion, the journey from Ghaziabad to the airport will take merely 37 minutes for fast service and 50 minutes for normal service. Moreover, commuters can reach Sarai Kale Khan from NIA in 56 minutes and IGI airport in 66 minutes, while the travel time to Meerut will be 72 minutes.
22 Stations for Ghaziabad-Noida airport Rapid Rail
The proposed corridor comprises two sections. The first section spans from Ghaziabad RRTS station to Ecotech VI near Kasna, while the second section extends from Ecotech VI to the ground transport center (GTC) of Noida airport.
Initially, the corridor is set to feature 22 stations, with the possibility of adding 13 more stations later, as per the draft plan.
The first section, covering 39.4 km, will host seven RRTS and 11 metro stations initially, with room for three additional stations. The second section, spanning 32.9 km, will initially include four RRTS stations, with a provision for adding ten more stations, comprising one RRTS and nine metro stations.
Rapid Rail and Metro Station at the Route
It’s worth noting that rapid rail trains will make halts exclusively at RRTS stations, while metro trains will stop at all stations along the route.
The commencement of work on the corridor is contingent upon receiving approval from the Uttar Pradesh government. Officials have outlined plans to concurrently construct both sections, with the estimated cost of the corridor being Rs 20,043.6 crore and an expected construction timeline of five years
According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the first section will feature an interchange with the proposed Aqua Line metro station at Sector 4 in Greater Noida West and the existing station at Alpha 1. This elevated corridor will originate from Ghaziabad RRTS station, traversing Vishwakarma Road (Siddharth Vihar/Pratap Vihar), Taj Highway, Char Murti Chowk, Greater Noida Link Road, and Surajpur–Kasna road before concluding at EcoTech VI in the Kasna area.
Sector 51 Aqua Line to Char Murti Rapid Rail
An important alteration highlighted in the DPR is the integration of the Aqua Line from Sector-51 to Char Murti Roundabout (Greater Noida West), thereby streamlining the project’s execution. The previously planned 10-kilometer metro track from Char Murti Roundabout to Knowledge Park-5 is now slated to be incorporated into the Rapid Rail route, enhancing connectivity.
Rapid Rail Second Leg Alignment
The alignment of the second leg will begin from EcoTech VI, crossing the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) to connect nearby areas such as Dankaur, Kanarsi, Dhanauri Khurd, Bhatta, Parsaul, Rabupura, Dayanatpur, and Kishorpur, ultimately terminating at the GTC near Terminal 1 of NIA.
The proposed GTC is slated to be centrally located, within a short walking distance from both passenger terminals.
Moreover, the corridor between Ghaziabad and EcoTech VI will encompass a 10km Aqua Line metro extension from Char Murti Chowk to Knowledge Park V. Additionally, section 2 will include the proposed pod taxi/Light Rail Transit (LRT) corridor from NIA to Film City in the YEIDA area.