No DPR submitted for Delhi–Rohtak–Hisar and Delhi–Faridabad–Palwal Namo Bharat RRTS Corridors

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): The Central Government has clarified that no Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted so far for the proposed Delhi–Rohtak–Hisar and Delhi–Faridabad–Palwal Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, indicating that these key regional connectivity projects are yet to move beyond the conceptual stage.

Responding to a query in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, stated:

“Presently, no Detailed Project Report (DPR) for RRTS connectivity between Delhi–Rohtak–Hisar and Delhi–Faridabad–Palwal has been submitted to the Central Government by the concerned State Government(s).”

The response came in reply to a question raised by MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who sought updates on plans to develop these corridors amid rising commuter demand, population growth, and economic activity in the NCR region.

Current Status of RRTS Network

At present, only the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS corridor (82.15 km) has been sanctioned and is operational in phases. The project received central approval in March 2019 and is being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

Meanwhile, other priority corridors such as Delhi–Gurugram–SNB–Alwar and Delhi–Panipat are at various stages of development and execution.

Under the NCR-2032 Functional Plan on Transport, the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) had identified eight RRTS corridors to strengthen regional rail connectivity:

• Delhi–Gurugram–Rewari–Alwar
• Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut
• Delhi–Sonipat–Panipat
• Delhi–Faridabad–Ballabhgarh–Palwal
• Delhi–Bahadurgarh–Rohtak
• Delhi–Shahdara–Baraut
• Ghaziabad–Khurja
• Ghaziabad–Hapur

However, a task force constituted by the erstwhile Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) prioritised only three corridors for initial implementation:

• Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut
• Delhi–Gurugram–Alwar
• Delhi–Panipat

Namo Bharat: Transforming Regional Mobility

The RRTS network operates Namo Bharat trains, designed for:

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

These semi-high-speed systems are aimed at transforming regional commuting by offering:

• Faster travel times
• Reduced road congestion
• Lower carbon emissions
• Enhanced economic integration
• Job creation across the corridor regions

Project Delays Highlight Coordination Gaps

The absence of DPR submissions for the Delhi–Rohtak–Hisar and Delhi–Faridabad–Palwal corridors points to coordination and planning gaps between state and central agencies, delaying the expansion of the RRTS network into critical growth corridors of Haryana.

Without DPR approval, projects cannot move to technical evaluation, funding approval, or execution stages, effectively keeping them on hold.

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

“The RRTS network has the potential to fundamentally reshape regional mobility in NCR. However, timely preparation and submission of DPRs is critical to maintain project momentum. Delays at the planning stage can significantly push back execution timelines and defer the economic and mobility benefits these corridors are expected to deliver.”

For the Delhi–Rohtak–Hisar and Delhi–Faridabad–Palwal corridors to progress, the respective state governments will need to:

• Prepare fresh DPRs
• Conduct technical and financial feasibility studies
• Obtain state-level approvals
• Submit proposals to the Centre for evaluation and funding

Until then, these corridors remain part of the long-term vision rather than active infrastructure projects.