The State government on Friday gave a go-ahead to first phase of the ₹25,000 crore Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project for a high-speed rail network from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to the Haryana-Rajasthan border near Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror (SNB). Of the 100 km project route, around 80 km falls in Haryana.
The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Chandigarh. Union Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh was also present.
RRTS project
Alignment for the RRTS project will run along an elevated section on Old Delhi Road in Gurugram to Atul Katarya Chowk, proceeding to Signature Tower Chowk and then along National Highway-48 up to Rajiv Chowk. The alignment will then move underground beyond Kherki Daula, where it will emerge above ground up to IMT Manesar. The alignment will then move along the National Highway up to Dharuhera in Rewari before entering Rajasthan.
The high-speed rail, running at 100 km per hour, will provide a convenient mode of travel for commuters from south Haryana to Delhi. The project will be executed by the NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture between the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. The NCRTC will prepare a detailed project report in three months and work is likely to begin by March 31, 2019.
Connectivity decision
Metro connectivity between HUDA City Centre and Gurugram railway station was also discussed. It was decided that connectivity to Old Gurugram will be ensured by extending the project along Sheetla Mata Road up to Rezangla Chowk and towards Sector 21 here, completing the loop with the RRTS project coming up on Old Delhi Road.
In addition, a metro project will be planned along Dwarka Expressway up to Sector 21 in Dwarka. A techno-feasibility study for this will be carried out by the Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Limited.
Earlier, a presentation was made by the Haryana State Industrial and infrastructure Development Corporation on the proposed metro project from HUDA City Centre to Manesar-Rewari and Bawal.
In view of the RRTS project coming up along a substantial portion of the same stretch, it was decided that the HSIIDC will consider the project in phases — with the first phase extending from HUDA City Centre to Manesar and Pachgaon. Subsequent portions will be considered only after coordinating the common alignment with the NCRTC. The project will be posed for funding to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with support from the Centre.