Delays have been caused by several factors, including changes in the alignment and design of the Aravali tunnel near Sohna, incorporation of advanced technologies like KAVACH and automatic signalling, and the construction of a 5-km viaduct near Roz Ka Meo where the corridor intersects with the dedicated freight corridor. Additionally, land acquisition hurdles have impacted the timeline.
The project’s cost has nearly doubled, rising from Rs 5,617 crore to approximately Rs 11,440 crore, as per the revised estimate approved by the government in the previous year. It involves acquiring 741 hectares of land, including 545 hectares of private land. While compensation has been disbursed to all landowners, the process took longer than anticipated.
The 126-km double-line electrified broad-gauge corridor will connect Palwal to Sonipat, passing through Sohna, Manesar, and Kharkhoda. The project is divided into two phases. Phase I, covering a 30-km stretch between Dhulawat, Manesar, and Jhajjar, is currently under civil construction. Tendering for the remaining 96-km Phase II section is ongoing.
Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation’s Managing Director, Sukhvinder Singh, stated that significant design and technical changes were necessary for the Aravali tunnel to ensure long-term operational safety. He noted that about 30% of Phase I work, including earthwork, culverts, and bridge pillars, has been completed. The challenging terrain and the requirement for multiple statutory clearances have also contributed to the project’s delay.
The rail corridor will run largely parallel to the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway and is expected to provide direct rail connectivity between Gurgaon, Sohna, Manesar, Jhajjar, Kharkhoda, Sonipat, Faridabad, and Palwal. It aims to eliminate the current dependence on Delhi for rail travel among these destinations, reducing travel times and easing congestion at railway stations in the national capital.
Designed for speeds up to 160 km/h for passenger trains and 100 km/h for freight trains, the corridor will be capable of handling high-speed trains such as the Vande Bharat. It is projected to accommodate nearly 20,000 passengers and 50 million tonnes of freight annually, supporting key industrial hubs in Sohna, Manesar, Nuh, Kharkhoda, and Sonipat.
Officials emphasized that the corridor will help divert rail traffic not destined for Delhi, support the development of multimodal logistics hubs, facilitate faster freight movement, and improve regional connectivity across the National Capital Region (NCR).
