Haryana Greenlights Massive Rs 11,709 Crore Rail Infrastructure Investment
The Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) has given its formal approval to a revised project cost amounting to Rs 11,709 crore while conducting a comprehensive review of ongoing major rail connectivity initiatives across the state. This significant decision emerged from the 34th meeting of the board of directors, which was presided over by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Monday.
Flagship Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Advances with Tunnel Progress
Among the key projects examined was the ambitious Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), designed to significantly enhance rail connectivity to crucial industrial and logistics centers including Kharkhoda, Manesar, and Sohna. Officials reported substantial progress, with excavation of 4,349 metres completed using the advanced New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). This represents approximately 61% of the total planned 7,070-metre tunnel length, with construction activities progressing simultaneously from nine different working faces.
The project has successfully secured essential environmental and forest clearances, marking critical milestones in its development timeline. These include stage-I forest clearance obtained in October 2025, approval for the remaining tunnel alignment in Rojka Meo granted on March 4, 2026, and Aravalli clearance finalized on March 20, 2026.
Land Compensation Disbursement and Kurukshetra Project Nearing Completion
HRIDC has demonstrated significant progress in land acquisition compensation, having disbursed Rs 1,929 crore to landowners across five affected districts. This amount constitutes about 85% of the total compensation award of Rs 2,273 crore. For private land specifically, payments have reached Rs 1,346 crore, representing 95% of the awarded compensation.
The board also reviewed the Kurukshetra elevated track (KET) project, which is approaching its final stages with commissioning anticipated in April 2026. All 21 spans of the elevated viaduct have been successfully completed, accompanied by comprehensive civil works, track installation, signaling systems, and electrification infrastructure.
Eastern Orbital Rail Corridor and Broader Strategic Objectives
Progress on the Eastern Orbital Rail Corridor (EORC) received detailed examination during the meeting. This strategic corridor will connect Sonipat to Palwal through Baghpat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Officials confirmed completion of field surveys, drone mapping exercises, and comprehensive traffic assessments, with the final feasibility report expected to be delivered shortly.
These extensive rail infrastructure projects are strategically designed to achieve multiple objectives: improving freight movement efficiency across the region, substantially reducing transit times for goods and passengers, and stimulating industrial growth throughout Haryana and the broader National Capital Region (NCR). The substantial investment reflects the state government's commitment to developing modern transportation infrastructure that supports economic development and regional connectivity.
