The Urban Development Ministry has given in-principle approval to three Regional Rapid Transit System corridors which will vastly improve Delhi's connectivity with Alwar, Panipat and Meerut. The Urban Development Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, “approved in-principle the concept proposal of implementing Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in three important corridors in the NCR,” a press release said. The corridors for which the approval has been given are Delhi-Gurgaon-Alwar, Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat and Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, the press release said. The RRTS is a rail-based mass transit system that would connect distant areas of National Capital Region (NCR) to the Capital. Funding Mr Nath also directed the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) to explore innovative funding mechanisms like exploiting transit-oriented development potential, monetisation of land and PPP model for implementing these capital-intensive projects. The Minister also emphasised that the RRTS should be integrated with the Delhi Metro. This faster connectivity will reduce pressure on Delhi's infrastructure by opening up, the region including the housing market, it said. Mr Nath, who is also Chairman of the NCRPB, was reviewing the implementation status of the plans and proposals relating to the NCR on Thursday, when he gave his approval to the RRTS proposal.