Haryana is charging ahead with an ambitious plan to reshape urban and regional connectivity across the National Capital Region (NCR), buoyed by the strong performance of its existing metro services. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, who also chairs the Haryana Metro Rail Corporation, revealed that the state's metro network is not only witnessing a significant passenger surge but is also set for a major expansion with several new corridors.
Record Ridership and Robust Revenue Growth
Presiding over a board meeting of the corporation, Rastogi shared encouraging data. Between April and November 2025, the metro network carried over 1.27 crore passengers, a notable jump from approximately 1.10 crore in the same period the previous year. The growth trajectory has been impressive, with July 2025 recording the highest monthly spike at 22.93%. Most other months also saw consistent double-digit increases, signaling growing commuter trust in metro rail as a reliable mode of transport.
The financial health of the system, particularly the Rapid Metro in Gurugram, mirrored this positive trend. Fare revenue climbed by 14.06% to reach Rs 23.37 crore for the reviewed period. Although operational expenses rose by 7.66%, the wider gap between revenue growth and cost escalation points to improved operational efficiency and better resource management.
Flagship Projects and Future Expansion Blueprint
The meeting outlined a series of high-impact projects poised to transform mobility. The standout initiative is the proposed Metro corridor from Sector 56 in Gurugram to Panchgaon. This 35.25-km elevated corridor, featuring 28 stations, has received approval for state funding. Its final detailed project report (DPR) has been submitted, with plans for seamless integration with the proposed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor at Panchgaon. This corridor is expected to be a game-changer for connectivity in New Gurugram's expanding residential, industrial, and institutional zones.
Another key project is the extension from Ballabgarh to Palwal, covering nearly 30 km with 18 elevated stations. This line aims to push mass rapid transit deeper into southern Haryana. Feasibility studies are complete, and work is on to align it with the Namo Bharat corridor to boost ridership and network synergy.
Gurugram Focus and Northern Haryana Link
Within Gurugram and the wider NCR, several additional corridors are moving from concept to execution. These include routes from Subhash Chowk to Rajiv Chowk, Sohna Road, and the Railway Station, as well as from Golf Course Extension Road to Sector 5 via HUDA City Centre. Consultants have been appointed to prepare DPRs for these lines.
In northern Haryana, the extension of the Delhi Metro from Narela to Kundli has received in-principle approvals. Haryana has agreed to provide land support and engage in joint property development, a move set to enhance access to Delhi's Phase-IV network and benefit the region's fast-growing urban areas.
Chief Secretary Rastogi's announcements underscore a dual strategy: capitalizing on the proven success of existing metro services while aggressively pursuing a future-ready, integrated rapid transit network through Metro and RRTS projects across Haryana's NCR districts.
