Delhi-Meerut-style RRTS in Assam? Himanta Sarma says ADB talks have begun for high-speed rail network; here’s what comes next

Assam may soon explore a Delhi-Meerut-style Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saying preliminary discussions have begun with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to prepare a blueprint for a possible high-speed regional rail network in the state.

Sarma announced the development on Friday, September 18, saying the proposed Assam RRTS could focus on connecting key growth areas and strengthening sustainable regional transport.

Read more - Hydrogen train has room for 2,600 passengers, but only 40-60 are riding it: Two months after launch, here’s why Railways is planning to extend it to Delhi

Assam RRTS proposal: What Himanta Biswa Sarma said

Sarma said discussions with the ADB were at an early stage and that the proposed network was being explored along the lines of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

“An Assam Rapid Transit System (RRTS), on the lines of Delhi–Meerut? Preliminary talks with @ADB_HQ are underway to chart a blueprint for sustainable transport connecting key growth areas. Will keep you updated as discussions progress,” Sarma said in a post on X.

The proposal is currently at the discussion stage, and the Chief Minister has not announced specific routes, stations or cities that could form part of the network. Details such as the estimated project cost and construction or commissioning timeline are also yet to be disclosed.

What is Delhi-Meerut RRTS?

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS is a regional rail corridor designed to provide faster connectivity between Delhi and major urban centres in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor is being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) as part of the Namo Bharat project. NCRTC describes RRTS as a dedicated, high-speed, high-capacity rail-based commuter service aimed at connecting regional nodes across the NCR.

The corridor connects Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut, with the system designed for an operational speed of up to 160 kmph. The Delhi-Meerut route is intended to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.

How Assam's proposed RRTS could work

If the proposal moves beyond the planning stage, an Assam RRTS could be designed to provide faster connections between major urban and economic centres.

However, no final network plan has been announced yet. The current discussions are focused on preparing a blueprint for sustainable transport and identifying how a regional rapid transit system could connect Assam's key growth areas.

A separate report said an initial consultation involving the ADB and Assam's Chief Secretary has also looked at the feasibility of an RRTS for Guwahati and its metropolitan region, with long-term planning considering infrastructure such as the Ring Road, regional connectivity corridors, new bridges, satellite townships and the proposed Aerocity.

Delhi-Meerut RRTS: Key features

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS has been developed as a high-speed regional commuter system rather than a conventional long-distance railway. The corridor spans about 82 km and links Delhi with Ghaziabad and Meerut.

The project is part of the first phase of the Namo Bharat programme, under which NCRTC is implementing regional rapid transit corridors in the NCR. Other first-phase corridors envisaged by NCRTC include Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat-Karnal.

The Delhi-Meerut model is intended to provide faster regional travel while connecting urban centres and emerging economic areas through a dedicated rapid rail network.

Assam RRTS

For Assam, the immediate focus is on feasibility and planning rather than construction. The discussions with the ADB are expected to help shape a possible blueprint for the proposed regional transit system.

Sarma has said that further details will be shared as discussions progress. Until then, the routes, number of stations, project cost, funding structure and implementation timeline for an Assam RRTS remain undecided.


Inputs from agencies