The Board of Directors of Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC) has approved the detailed project report (DPR) of ‘Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project’, a new double rail line of about 130 Kms route length from Palwal to Sonipat.

Key Facts :

• HRIDC is the joint venture company of Union Ministry of Railways and Haryana Government.
• Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project will connect Palwal to Sonipat.
• The new railway project would connect Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh and Manesar with all the districts of Haryana.
• In February 2019, the Chief Minister Manohar Lal had made an announcement for completing this 130 Kms new rail line project on fast tracked basis.
• This project will provide direct rail connectivity (by-passing Delhi) to all the routes originating from Delhi and passing through Haryana. This will also give connectivity to Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network at Pirthala.
• This rail corridor will have stations at New Palwal, Silani, Sohna, Dhulawat, Chandla Dungerwas, Manesar, New Patli, Badsa, Deverkhana, Badli, Mandothi, Jasaur Kheri, Kharkhoda, Tarakpur and finally connect to Delhi-Ambala line at Harsana Kalan.
• This project will be implemented on joint venture model. The major stakeholders in this project included Union Ministry of Railways, Haryana Government, HRIDC, HSIIDC, GMDA and Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

Way Forward :

• This project will give boost in developing economic corridor along the KMP Expressway from Palwal to Sonipat and will also help in development of the proposed Panchgram townships.
• The project will also provide direct rail connectivity for Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh, Palwal, Manesar and Farukhnagar with all the districts of Haryana.
• It will also ease pressure from congested transport network of Delhi and help in reducing pollution in Delhi.
• The approval of detailed project report is a major breakthrough for taking further necessary action for sanction of the project by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) through Ministry of Railways.