The corridor has been planned for dual use, accommodating both Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) services for longer-distance travel with fewer stops and metro services for shorter suburban travel with more frequent stops.[4] The project's cost estimated in 2017 was₹37,000crores (equivalent to ₹52,000 in 2023; or USD $7 billion).[6]
As part of the Integrated Transportation Plan 2032, theNational Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) identified eight rail-based rapid transit corridors to improve the efficacy of transportation system in the NCR.[7] These were:
Delhi - Gurgaon - Rewari - Alwar
Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut
Delhi - Sonipat - Panipat
Delhi - Faridabad - Ballabhgarh - Palwal
Delhi - Bahadurgarh - Rohtak
Delhi - Shahadra - Baraut
Ghaziabad - Khurja
Ghaziabad - Hapur
Of the aforesaid corridors, Delhi-Alwar, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Meerut are to be constructed in the first phase. TheUrban Mass Transit Company was commissioned to conduct a feasibility study on 23 March 2010. The study thus submitted was approved by the Planning Board in 2012. The contract was then transferred to NCRTC on 18 January 2017 to carry the study forward.[8]
On 15 June 2018, the first phase of the project, a 100 km (62 mi) long segment from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror, slated to cost an estimated₹25,000 crore (equivalent to ₹33,000 in 2023; or USD $4.51 billion), was approved by theHaryana government.[9]
There will be total 22 stations in total; 16 (11 elevated and five underground) will be built in the first phase and the rest in later phases.[11][12][13]
November 2019 Nov: Bids for the construction of the Gurgaon section of the project were invited.
May 2022: Pre-construction work begins on the project's corridor in Gurgaon.[16]
March 2023: Pre-construction work complete in Gurgaon.[17]
October 2024: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that the commissioning of the networks linking Delhi-Panipat and Delhi to Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror and Alwar is expected to commence in 2025.[18][19]
November 2024: It was decided that the entire rapid rail route will be developed all at once in one phase.[20]
May 2025: Construction likely to start in August 2026.[21]
Pink Line
Hazrat Nizamuddin
Sarai Kale Khan ISBT
