This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' response to questions regarding the Delhi-Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, specifically concerning the Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituency.
The Ministry clarifies that urban planning is a state subject, making State Governments/UT Administrations responsible for urban transport infrastructure, including RRTS. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has submitted a proposal for the Delhi-Karnal Namo Bharat RRTS corridor, which is undergoing intensive examination by the Central Government due to its cost. Financial assistance is considered based on feasibility and resource availability.
The RRTS corridors have a design speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed potential of 160 kmph, with average speed and journey time dependent on station spacing. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has released Rs. 50 crore for pre-construction activities.
A High-Powered Committee (HPC) is planned under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central Government, State Government, and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for sanctioned RRTS projects to monitor transparency, land acquisition, and timelines. However, the Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS corridor is *not* currently a sanctioned project of the Government of India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for housing and urban development.
DelhiPanipat RRTS corridor: A proposed Regional Rapid Transit System corridor connecting Delhi and Panipat, Haryana.
SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about the DelhiPanipat RRTS corridor.
Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituency: The parliamentary constituency through which the DelhiPanipat RRTS corridor is proposed to pass.
SHRI TOKHAN SAHU: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC): The implementing agency for RRTS corridors in the National Capital Region.
DelhiKarnal Namo Bharat RRTS corridor: A proposed Regional Rapid Transit System corridor connecting Delhi and Karnal, Haryana.
Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD): The government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2998
TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 07, 2025
STATUS OF DELHI-PANIPAT RRTS CORRIDOR
NO.2998. SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has carried out a consolidated assessment of
the stalling/construction status of the Delhi-Panipat Regional Rapid
Transit System (RRTS) corridor passing through the Sonipat Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(b) if so, the current status of the project with respect to length
(approximately 103 km), total number of stations (17) and estimated cost
(Rupees 21,627 crore) thereof;
(c) whether the trains on this corridor would run at a maximum speed of 180
Km/hr and average speed of 100 Km/hr and the journey from Delhi to
Panipat is likely to be completed in 60-90 minutes;
(d) whether the Delhi Government has released its financial share (Rupees
50 crore) for this RRTS corridor and whether Memorandum of
Understandings (MoUs) has been signed for the project so far and if so,
the details thereof;
(e) whether any independent review or third-party audit has been conducted
to monitor the transparency, land acquisition status and timelines of the
project; and
(f) if so, the major outcomes thereof and if not, the time by which such an
assessment is likely to be proposed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (f): ‘Urban planning’ is a State subject. Therefore, the respective State
Governments/UT Administrations are responsible for planning, initiating
and developing urban transport infrastructure including Regional Rapid
Transit System (RRTS). National Capital Region Transport Corporation
(NCRTC), which is the implementing agency for RRTS corridors in National
…2/--2-
Capital Region (NCR), has submitted the proposal for Delhi-Karnal Namo
Bharat RRTS corridor. Such proposals are cost intensive; therefore, these
undergo intensive examination at different levels in Central Government.
After such extensive examination, Central Government considers
financial assistance to RRTS projects, based on feasibility of the proposal
and availability of resources. The Regional Rapid Transit Systems have
design speed and operational speed potential of 180 Kmph and 160 Kmph,
respectively. The average speed is dependent upon the spacing between
the stations, which determines the journey time.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has
released an amount of Rs. 50 crore for pre-construction activities of the
Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat RRTS corridor. A High-Powered
Committee (HPC) is envisaged in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
entered into between Central Government, concerned State Government
and the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), for the sanctioned RRTS projects,
for regular monitoring of transparency, land acquisition status and
timelines thereof. The Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS corridor is presently not
a sanctioned project of Government of India.
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