NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) stations will have the provision to separate station-bound vehicles from those on the main roadways through exclusive entry/exit points on the service road in order to minimise traffic jams. The action is intended to discourage drivers from stopping on the major route to drop off or pick up commuters. There will also be a designated pick-up/drop-off lane at some stations.
The project of a high-speed train network will connect the three cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It will feature 25 stations with a design speed of 180kmph.
“It has been seen that due to lack of space around many public transport services, the vehicles, whether private or personal, drop off passengers on the main road. It creates hindrances in the movement of traffic, triggering a jam-like condition almost on a daily basis. Pedestrians, along with commuters, have to struggle with overcrowding and haywire traffic,” said a spokesperson of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is executing the project. “Lack of designated space also leads to people jumping over fences or crossing main roads amid fast-moving traffic with luggage, increasing chances of accident,” he added.
To address these problems, NCRTC has decided to make exclusive entry/exit points on service roads. They will have a physical barrier along the station length to discourage stopping of vehicles on the main road. “This will not only help commuters reach the station safely and comfortably, but also give pedestrians relief from overcrowding and chaos,” the spokesperson clarified.
On the 82km Delhi Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, there are 25 stations, 21 of which are elevated stations with entry/exit points being built on both sides so that passengers may access them from either side of the road.
A dedicated pick-up/drop-off lane is also being planned. “Wherever possible, a designated space has been created under the station box to safely drop off/pick up commuters from where they could access the station easily after walking only a short distance,” said an official. NCRTC is making foot overbridges and skywalks wherever needed.
The stations will also have properly lit pathways and 24×7 CCTV monitoring to make the space safe. “The green zones around the stations will not only make it aesthetically pleasing for the eyes but will also provide much-needed respite and a moment of relaxation to the commuters,” the official said.
