Chandigarh, March 24
On Tuesday, the Haryana Cabinet gave its approval for the construction of a 136-km Delhi–Panipat–Karnal RRTS corridor, a fast and modern public transport network aimed at linking the state’s urban and semi-urban regions with the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the proposal cleared during the cabinet meeting, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), also known as Namo Bharat, will run from Delhi to Panipat and further extend up to Karnal.
The total estimated cost of the project exceeds Rs 33,000 crore, with the Haryana Government contributing Rs 7,472 crore. An official statement noted that the state’s share will be provided in phases.
The plan includes 11 stations within Haryana, ensuring smooth and high-speed connectivity between the state’s urban and semi-urban areas and the NCR. The corridor is likely to cut travel time considerably, reduce traffic congestion, and help control pollution.
The Cabinet also cleared a proposal for the depot infrastructure to be jointly designed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) and the respective land-owning agency. The depot will be built at ground level, with scope for commercial development above it to generate additional revenue.
To enhance the project’s financial sustainability, provisions under the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy will allow a higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) near RRTS stations. This is expected to encourage planned urban growth and create extra financial resources for the project.
The Administrative Secretary of the Town & Country Planning Department has been appointed as the Nodal Officer and authorised to sign agreements and related documents with the NCRTC.
The Cabinet also expressed its intent to extend the RRTS corridor beyond Karnal to Panchkula via Kurukshetra and Saha, with the matter to be taken up with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the NCRTC.
This corridor is anticipated to enhance access to jobs, trade, education, and healthcare, while supporting balanced and sustainable regional development.
In another decision from the nearly six-hour meeting, the Cabinet approved a revised cost estimate for the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) project, which aims to improve regional connectivity and drive industrial growth, the statement added.
After completion, the HORC project will offer direct rail links to key industrial and logistics centres such as Kharkhoda, Manesar, and Sohna, while also facilitating the development of new townships in the Haryana NCR area.
The revised cost of the project has been set at around Rs 11,700 crore, compared to the earlier approved estimate of Rs 5,618 crore.
“The rise in project cost is mainly due to several factors, including a significant increase in land acquisition expenses, alignment changes, construction of new bridges in the NCR region, general cost escalation over time, and a hike in GST on works contracts from 12 percent to 18 percent.
“Moreover, changes in railway policies and the requirement for upgraded technical standards have also led to higher construction costs,” the statement said.
The project is being implemented through a joint venture under the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC), involving key stakeholders such as government bodies and private partners, including Maruti Suzuki India Limited and Allcargo Logistics.
