PIB Clears Rs 650 Billion For Two New Namo Bharat Corridors

17 Nov 2025 CW Team

The approved routes include the 93 km Sarai Kale Khan–Bawal corridor, costing Rs 320 billion, and the 136 km Sarai Kale Khan–Karnal corridor at Rs 330 billion. Both links will connect Delhi to major urban and industrial hubs in Haryana. The proposals will now move to the Union Cabinet for final approval.

These decisions break a prolonged deadlock stemming from funding disputes between the central government and the Delhi government under the previous Aam Aadmi Party administration. In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to contribute its share after sustained resistance.

As part of the implementation strategy, Delhi and Haryana will adopt value capture financing, leveraging increased land values near the corridors to support infrastructure funding. Plans also include establishing Urban Metropolitan Transport Authorities to ensure coordinated regional transit governance.

The Sarai Kale Khan–Bawal line will serve industrial clusters such as Manesar and Bawal and will feature 22 stations. The Sarai Kale Khan–Karnal line will pass through Sonipat and Panipat, linking key towns along the route. Trains on both corridors will operate at speeds of up to 180 km/h, meaning substantially reduced travel times.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that political alignment among ruling BJP governments across NCR states is accelerating infrastructure development and improving regional mobility.

Preparatory work on the Delhi–Panipat segment has already begun, with utility diversion underway along a 22 km stretch between Narela and Murthal.

The two new corridors are expected to ease road congestion, enhance economic integration and modernise commuter travel across Delhi and Haryana, marking a major milestone in India’s broader regional rapid transit expansion.

The Public Investment Board (PIB) has approved two new rapid rail transit corridors under the Namo Bharat RRTS project, with a combined cost of Rs 650 billion, aimed at transforming regional connectivity across the National Capital Region. The approved routes include the 93 km Sarai Kale Khan–Bawal corridor, costing Rs 320 billion, and the 136 km Sarai Kale Khan–Karnal corridor at Rs 330 billion. Both links will connect Delhi to major urban and industrial hubs in Haryana. The proposals will now move to the Union Cabinet for final approval. These decisions break a prolonged deadlock stemming from funding disputes between the central government and the Delhi government under the previous Aam Aadmi Party administration. In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to contribute its share after sustained resistance. As part of the implementation strategy, Delhi and Haryana will adopt value capture financing, leveraging increased land values near the corridors to support infrastructure funding. Plans also include establishing Urban Metropolitan Transport Authorities to ensure coordinated regional transit governance. The Sarai Kale Khan–Bawal line will serve industrial clusters such as Manesar and Bawal and will feature 22 stations. The Sarai Kale Khan–Karnal line will pass through Sonipat and Panipat, linking key towns along the route. Trains on both corridors will operate at speeds of up to 180 km/h, meaning substantially reduced travel times. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that political alignment among ruling BJP governments across NCR states is accelerating infrastructure development and improving regional mobility. Preparatory work on the Delhi–Panipat segment has already begun, with utility diversion underway along a 22 km stretch between Narela and Murthal. The two new corridors are expected to ease road congestion, enhance economic integration and modernise commuter travel across Delhi and Haryana, marking a major milestone in India’s broader regional rapid transit expansion.

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