The Haryana government has approved the final feasibility report for extending the Metro from Ballabgarh in Faridabad to Palwal. The detailed project report (DPR) for the stretch will now be sent to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The decision was reviewed at the 66th board meeting of the Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC), chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.

The proposed 35.25-km line linking Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is awaiting final approval from the state government. The corridor is planned to have 28 stations and connect with the Namo Bharat regional rail network. HMRTC Managing Director Ajay Kumar also briefed the board on two proposed Namo Bharat corridors, including the 136.3-km Delhi-Panipat-Karnal route.

The Delhi-Panipat-Karnal corridor is estimated to cost Rs. 330.51 bn and will have 17 proposed stations, with provision for four additional stations. It is intended to connect Delhi with the industrial hubs of Panipat and Karnal. A Gurugram-Faridabad-Noida-Greater Noida corridor is also under consideration, with alignments and station locations for its Gurugram and Faridabad sections finalised at the state level.

Gurugram Metro Rail (GMRL) is executing the 28.5-km Millennium City Centre-Cyber City corridor. Approved at Rs. 54.52 bn, the elevated line will have 27 stations and connect Old and New Gurugram through Palam Vihar, Sector 9 and Udyog Vihar. GMRL has invited bids for a Rs. 16.62 bn civil construction package between Sector 9 and Cyber City, while other proposed links include corridors from Sector 45 to Bata Chowk and Millennium City Centre to Gurugram railway station.

Gurugram Rapid Metro carried 8,881,000 passengers between April and August, up 11.62 per cent from 7,957,000 in the same period last year. HMRTC’s operational revenue rose 11.64 per cent to Rs. 186 mn from Rs. 166.6 mn. Non-fare revenue increased 64.34 per cent, with station rental income reaching Rs. 35 mn and advertising rights generating Rs. 231.4 mn.