New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS): The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the construction of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), a first-of-its-kind, covering a distance of 82.15 km at a cost of Rs 30,274 crore.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also gave its nod to central financial assistance of Rs 5,634 crore in the form of grant and sub-ordinate debt, institutional arrangement and legal framework for the project and conditions of sanction of the project.

The RRTS is a first-of-its-kind rail-based high-speed regional transit system to be implemented in India.

"Once operational, it will be the fastest, most comfortable and safest mode of commuter transport in the National Capital Region (NCR)," an official statement said.

The implementation of the RRTS would provide much-needed additional public transport infrastructure to the NCR to address issues of congestion, air pollution and catalyse balanced and sustainable regional development, it added.

The project involves integration with other urban transport systems in an efficient and effective manner which is possible only by adopting innovative methods of designing, technology and institutional management.

The RRTS aims to streamline the urban transportation system -- which is stressed due to intensive developments and increase in the number of private vehicles, thus putting stress on travel infrastructure and industrial activities -- by providing the people a safe, secure, reliable, fast and comfortable public transport.