A light rail transit system has been approved to connect Noida International Airport with the upcoming Film City along the Yamuna Expressway. The corridor will be integrated with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), providing enhanced connectivity across the region.
Decision by YEIDA and NCRTC
The decision was made during a Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) board meeting on Thursday. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) presented its plans for a 72 km rapid rail route linking Noida International Airport and Ghaziabad.
Replacement of Pod Taxi Plan
Originally, a 14 km pod taxi route was proposed to connect Film City and the airport. The first tender for this project, issued in July last year with a budget of ₹641.5 crore, failed to attract bidders, raising concerns about its feasibility. As a result, YEIDA conducted a study comparing the pod taxi system with light rail, and the latter was deemed more viable.
Integration of Three Transit Systems
The light rail will now share tracks with metro and rapid rail services. The new plan includes three services:
- Metro trains: Will operate every 3.5 minutes.
- Rapid rail: Will run every 7 minutes.
- Light rail: Will run every 8 minutes, serving sectors between Film City and the airport.
This integration will allow for efficient transportation on the same tracks, with only minor loops and sections differentiating the three systems. The unified plan has been approved by the Uttar Pradesh government and is awaiting clearance from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Changes in the RRTS Corridor Plan
The original plan for the 72 km RRTS corridor from Ghaziabad to Jewar was divided into two phases:
- Ghaziabad to Ecotech VI
- Ecotech VI to Jewar
However, the new decision will see the entire stretch constructed as a single, unified project.
Purpose of Three Trains on a Single Route
- Rapid rail: Ideal for long-distance travelers, especially those heading to the airport, due to its higher speed.
- Metro: Slower but stops at every station, serving local commuters.
- Light rail: Primarily for short-distance travel, catering to the sectors along the Yamuna Expressway.
Funding and Project Completion
The 72 km project is expected to be completed by 2031. Funding will be sourced from both the central and state governments, contributing 40%, with the remaining 60% to be raised by NCRTC from development authorities in Greater Noida, Yamuna Expressway, and Ghaziabad. If NCRTC secures this funding, no additional financial contributions will be required from local authorities.
Other Key Infrastructure Developments
In addition to the light rail project, the board also approved:
- A 10 km corridor linking the Aqua Line station at Sector 51 with the RRTS corridor at Knowledge Park V.
- Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has assured YEIDA of a loan of ₹30,000 crore for connectivity projects, with an additional ₹3,300 crore allocated for land acquisition.
