Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS corridor nears Central approval following advanced discussions between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Prime Minister’s Office. Specifically, the Union Cabinet is set to consider sanctioning the 136-kilometre Namo Bharat semi-high-speed rail project in the coming weeks. Furthermore, the semi-high-speed regional corridor will link Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Karnal in Haryana along National Highway 44, drastically slashing travel times across northern NCR.
Route & Stations along the 136 km Namo Bharat corridor
The 136.30-km alignment originates at Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and heads north-westerly through Sonipat and Panipat to terminate at Karnal. Consequently, the high-speed transit line integrates seamlessly with ISBTs, Indian Railways stations, and Delhi Metro lines.
Additionally, the project features 17 main-line stations alongside key future expansion stops and maintenance depots at Gannaur and Panipat. Based on official NCRTC alignment plans, key stations along the route include:
- Delhi Section: Sarai Kale Khan, Indraprastha, Kashmere Gate, Jharoda Majra, Bhalswa Chowk, Alipur, and Narela.
- Sonipat Cluster: Kundli, KMP (Future Station), Bahalgarh, Murthal, Barhi (Future Station), and Gannaur.
- Panipat Cluster: Samalkha, Panipat ISBT Sewah, Panipat, Panipat Sector-18 (Future Station), and Ganjbar – Badauli – Kohand.
- Karnal Extension: Gharaunda, Karnal By-pass (Future Station), Karnal Sector-7, and Karnal New ISBT.
| Corridor Alignment Parameter | Project Specification & Engineering Data |
| Total Route Length | 136.30 kilometres (originating at Sarai Kale Khan) |
| Operational Design Speed | 160 km/h operational speed (100 km covered in 45–50 mins) |
| Main Line Stations | 17 operational stations plus dedicated future stations |
| Maintenance Depots | Gannaur and Panipat (IOCL Terminal) |
| Projected Daily Ridership | 7.79 lakh passengers per day by 2031 |
Cost and Ticket prices for the regional rail link
The total project capital cost is estimated between ₹33,051 crore and ₹34,740 crore, with the Haryana state government contributing its sanctioned phased share. Additionally, the Public Investment Board (PIB) granted clearance for the extension up to Karnal in November 2025 following Haryana Cabinet approval.
Furthermore, while NCRTC has not released final fare charts, ticket prices will align with the operational Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. Specifically, standard fare structures are expected to range from ₹20 for short runs up to ₹250–₹300 for full-length 136 km journeys, with premium coaches priced at approximately 2X standard fares.
Economic impact, Transit-Oriented Development, and operational features
The Haryana government has formally integrated the corridor into its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy to foster planned commercial and residential hubs around stations. Specifically, high-frequency trains running every 10 minutes will allow commuters to travel 100 kilometres in under 50 minutes. The Namo Bharat is likely to cover the 136km journey of Delhi-Panipat-Karnal in around 90 to 100 minutes.
