GHAZIABAD (Metro Rail News): Lifts and escalators are being installed at stations by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to improve passenger access to the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
The 30,274 crore RRTS project is on track to get completed in March 2025 with stations in the priority segment beginning to take shape. However, a 17-Kilometer priority segment in Ghaziabad will open in March 2023 as the nation’s first RRTS stretch to commence passenger operations.
The entire 82-Km long corridor is expected to have a huge footfall at the 25 stations as the daily ridership figures as projected by the NCRTC stand at 800,000 passengers.
“While keeping in mind commuter-centricity, we have started with provisions of lifts and escalators at stations. Most of the RRTS stations will have three to four levels and there is a need to enhance accessibility while ensuring hassle-free journeys for passengers. So, the process for provision of lifts and escalators has started. This will be helpful for passengers, especially for the elderly, specially-abled, children and women,” said Puneet Vats, NCRTC Chief Public Relations Officer.
“The escalators are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and these will also have energy-saving features. They are getting manufactured in Pune. The lifts on the other hand are getting manufactured in Bengaluru. The escalators will have ‘V’ type handrails for firm grip and will also have four flat steps with yellow lines and lights for easy boarding and deboarding. There will be additional emergency stop switches at the top and bottom for stopping the escalator if needed,” said an NCRTC officer.
According to officials, finger guards will be installed on the handrails and skirt guards will be installed on the escalators to prevent clothing from being tangled. They continued by saying that a number of automatic safety devices, such as anti-reversal, drive chain broken, handrail broken, escalator Overspeed device, step sag/step broken, upthrust, and handrail monitoring devices, etc., will also be installed for increased safety.
Stretchers and wheelchairs will also have designated spaces on the RRTS trains.
The 17-Km priority segment which has stations in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad City, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot is reportedly undergoing expedited construction.
The installation of thirty-six escalators and 26 lifts will be completed at the five stations and construction has already begun at Sahibabad and Guldhar stations as stated by an official.
The first RRTS train’s priority section trial run is anticipated in the month of November.
