MMRCL chief Ashwini Bhide urges high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) for fast, direct connectivity to Vadhavan Port.
The Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, Ashwini Bhide, has recently highlighted the critical requirement for a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to service the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The call is specifically aimed at ensuring quicker, more direct travel options for daily commuters, particularly those travelling to and from the area’s rapidly expanding industrial hubs.
Speaking on the ‘Powertrain’ YouTube podcast, Ashwini Bhide outlined the distinct benefits of an RRTS when compared to the existing suburban railway and metro networks. Unlike these systems, which stop frequently, RRTS stations are typically spaced eight kilometres or more apart, allowing trains to maintain much higher operational speeds. She referenced the Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor, where trains can reach speeds of up to 180 kilometres per hour, arguing that Mumbai requires a
She stressed that, while the state is currently focused on expanding the metro network, long-term infrastructure planning must include an RRTS corridor. This need is significantly amplified by forthcoming large-scale projects, notably the Vadhavan Port in Palghar. This development is predicted to dramatically increase travel demand, boosting not only port-related activities but also new investment opportunities in the surrounding region. She asserted that such areas necessitate a direct connectivity solution from Mumbai that is substantially faster than the current suburban rail or metro offerings.
With the Vadhavan Port poised to become one of India’s largest on the west coast, the necessity for a swift, reliable, and high-capacity transport link between Mumbai and Palghar is increasingly obvious. The session concluded by confirming that there is “definite scope for an RRTS in and around Mumbai,” and that the Maharashtra government is currently studying the possibilities for developing the system.
SOURCE – INDIA SEA TRADE NEWS
