NCRTC begins groundwork for 136-km Delhi–Panipat–Karnal Namo Bharat RRTS Corridor

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant step toward expanding high-speed regional connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR), the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has initiated groundwork for the Delhi–Panipat–Karnal Namo Bharat corridor, marking the transition of the project from planning to early-stage execution.

The 136-km Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor will connect Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to New ISBT Karnal in Haryana, linking key urban, industrial, and educational hubs across the region.

According to officials, detailed surveys have commenced in Delhi to identify utilities along the proposed alignment, while utility shifting activities have begun in parts of Haryana.

“Detailed surveys are being carried out in Delhi to identify utilities falling within the proposed alignment. In Haryana, preparatory work, including the shifting of utilities, has already been initiated,” a senior NCRTC official said.

To accelerate early-stage work, NCRTC has also floated a tender for shifting civil utilities, including:

• Sewer lines
• Water supply pipelines
• Stormwater drainage systems

The utility relocation work is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Corridor Overview and Key Infrastructure

The Delhi–Panipat–Karnal corridor will feature:

• Total length: 136 km
• Delhi section: ~36 km
• Haryana section: ~100 km
• Total stations: 17
  • 6 in Delhi
  • 11 in Haryana

Key stations and connectivity points include Sonipat, Ganaur, Samalkha, Panipat, and Karnal.

Additionally, two depots are planned at:

• Murthal
• Ganjbar (Panipat)

These will support train stabling, maintenance, and operations.

High-Speed Operations and Travel Time Reduction

The corridor is designed for semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains, with:

• Design speed: 180 km/h
• Operational speed: up to 160 km/h

Once operational, the corridor will significantly cut travel time:

• Delhi to Karnal: ~90 minutes
• Kashmiri Gate to Panipat: < 60 minutes
• Indraprastha to Sonipat: ~35 minutes
• Kashmiri Gate to Murthal: ~30 minutes

Trains are expected to operate at 15-minute frequency, enabling high-capacity regional commuting.

Boost to Economic and Regional Development

The corridor will pass through several key economic and institutional hubs, including:

• Kundli industrial zone
• Barhi industrial area
• Panipat city and IOCL refinery
• Sonipat education cluster

This connectivity is expected to boost industrial growth, workforce mobility, and regional integration across NCR.

Part of Phase-I RRTS Expansion

The Delhi–Panipat–Karnal line is the third corridor under Phase-I of the RRTS network, following:

1. Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut (partially operational)
2. Delhi–Gurugram–SNB–Alwar (under development)

The expansion reflects NCRTC’s broader vision to develop a high-speed, high-frequency regional rail network connecting major urban nodes around Delhi.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:

“The initiation of groundwork for the Delhi–Panipat–Karnal corridor signals steady progress in building a truly integrated regional mobility network for NCR. Projects like Namo Bharat are redefining intercity travel by combining speed, frequency, and reliability, while also unlocking economic potential across emerging urban corridors.”

With surveys and utility shifting now underway, the project is entering a critical phase that will pave the way for civil construction and large-scale infrastructure deployment in the coming months.

Once completed, the corridor will play a vital role in decongesting Delhi, improving regional accessibility, and enabling sustainable mobility solutions for millions of commuters.