NCRTC proposes alignment change for Delhi-SNB-Alwar RRTS Corridor

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), the agency responsible for developing the 107-kilometer Rapid Rail Transport System (RRTS) connecting Delhi, Gurugram, and Behror, has put forth a proposal that could potentially alter the project's alignment. The proposed change pertains to the Gurugram-SNB section, which the NCRTC suggests should now follow the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway route, according to informed officials.

In this proposed realignment, the route would extend from Aerocity to Rajiv Chowk via Cyber City along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, deviating from the earlier alignment that passed through Kapashera, Udyog Vihar, Atul Kataria Chowk, Maharana Pratap Chowk, Signature Tower, and Rajiv Chowk.

This proposed alteration, if approved, holds the potential to benefit a significant population residing along the Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road and in Old Gurugram. These areas have been eagerly anticipating both Metro and Rapid Rail projects for several years.

The NCRTC's RRTS corridor is planned to be constructed in three phases. The initial phase involves constructing a 107-kilometer stretch from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror (SNB) Urban Complex, just ahead of Bawal in Haryana. This route will pass through Gurugram, Manesar, Panchgaon, and Rewari.

In the second phase, the line would extend from SNB to Sotanala, encompassing Shahjahanpur, Neemrana, and Behror. The third phase aims to connect SNB to Alwar. These details were shared by the Haryana government in May when it approved the project.

Anil Kumar Shrangarya, Director of Projects at NCRTC, addressed the proposed alignment change in a letter to the Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Limited on August 30, 2023. The letter mentioned that discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) had led to the exploration of an alternative alignment via Cyber City-Iffco Chowk.

The letter also noted that NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) had agreed to address the remaining issues related to this alignment change, contingent on resolving right-of-way and land availability concerns. Among the identified issues were the presence of heavy-duty electricity lines along the proposed alignment and the need for private and licensed land along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.

The NCRTC's letter also revealed plans to construct an underground station at Cyber City, requiring approximately 6,500 square meters of land, and an elevated station at Iffco Chowk, which necessitates land acquisition from private owners and state government agencies.

Regarding the proposed alignment change, Karan Singh, Director of Operations and Business Development at HMRTC, stated that the proposal is under discussion, and no final decision has been reached yet.