Delhi to get connected to satellite towns through new rail network

New Delhi: Delhi may soon be connected to satellite towns in neighbouring states by high-speed commuter trains.

With the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation showing its reluctance to spread its network beyond towns adjoining Delhi, the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has put forward the idea of connecting Delhi with towns beyond the proposed coverage area of the Delhi Metro with high-speed trains.

The idea is to create eight special corridors to ensure that the proposed trains do not become dependent on the Indian Railways network.

According to a NCRPB official, the four provincial governments — Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan — are quite enthusiastic about the idea, which would ensure one train every 10 minutes. Indian Railways is also interested in the project since it would help it divert daily commuters who illegally enter the reserved compartments of long-distance trains and cause brawls if resisted.

A consultant appointed to do the feasibility report has given the green light to the project, saying it would prove to be as profitable as the Delhi Metro.

The only issue that remains to be thrashed out is the ratio of sharing of costs between the central and four state governments besides the Indian Railways, which may come to about Rs190 million (Dh14.9 million).

NCRPB has proposed to set up NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to implement and manage the proposed services, with representatives of the federal Urban Development Ministry, Indian Railways, NCRPB and the four states.

NCRPB was set up to decongest the national capital Delhi by developing satellite towns and providing infrastructure and facilities on par with the national capital. While adjoining townships like Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon have to some extet eased Delhi's pressure, the desired results are not visible yet due to lack of credible transportation facilities connecting smaller towns with Delhi.