RailEnquiry

NEW DELHI: The first inter-city rapid rail line is likely to come up in Haryana. Top state government officials said that 111kmPanipat-Delhi stretch of the regional rapid transit system (RRTS) would be the priority considering the need to improve connectivity on NH-1 axis."We have pushed our case. Funding from multilateral agencies can be considered and the state will be in a position to fund a portion of the project cost," said town and country planning director general TC Gupta. Haryana chief secretary P K Chaudhery, who was in Delhi to sign the agreement for setting up National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to implement the RRTS projects, said that they would extend all support for early take off. Haryana has been demanding Centre to provide substantial investment since this is a project of national importance.The project cost of three priority lines - Delhi-Panipat, Delhi-Alwar and Delhi-Meerut - was earlier pegged at Rs 72,000 it would cross Rs 1 lakh crore when the detailed project reports (DPR) would be out in the next 2-3 weeks. "The revised cost would be at 2013 prices. But the project implementation cannot be delayed as it would result cost and time overrun," said NCR Planning Board member secretary Naini Jayaseelan.UP housing secretary Sadakant said financing would be a major issue to implement the projects while Delhi chief secretary DM Spolia said the issue has not yet come before them.