India and Spain have signed a technical cooperation agreement to develop rapid rail transit systems (RRTS) in the National Capital region of India.

Signed between India’s National Capital Region Transport (NCRTC) and Spain’s Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), the contract will enable cooperation on the technical development of track, signalling, rolling stock, safety, multi-modal integration, and station design.

The deal is also expected to enhance the availability of technical advice on specific issues concerning project implementation and the provision of training to associated personnel.

“The RRTS are being designed to enable operations at 180kmph and will include the latest track structure, rolling stock, and signalling systems.”

NCRTC is a joint venture (JV) between the Government of India and the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. It is responsible for designing, constructing, and operations and maintenance (O&M) of RRTS.

In Phase I, the agreement prioritises the Panipat Smart Line and Delhi-Alwar Smart Line RRTS corridors.

Pre-construction activities including geo-technical investigations, detailed design, utility shifting planning, and traffic diversion planning have already commenced on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor.

The RRTS are being designed to enable operations at 180km/h and will include the latest track structure, rolling stock, and signalling systems.