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Currently, a road trip from Delhi to Karnal takes around 2.5 hours but the Rapid Rail will reduce the travel time to just 45 minutes.
A train runs on the newly constructed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train track (top) during a trial run in Ghaziabad. (PTI Photo)
In a significant development aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, the ambitious Rapid Rail corridor connecting Delhi to Panipat has been extended to Karnal. This decision follows a recent meeting between Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Delhi, where both leaders agreed on expanding the project to include Karnal. A detailed survey for the Rapid Rail route from Panipat to Karnal is set to commence shortly. While surveys for the section up to Panipat were completed earlier, budget constraints had delayed the start of work. The extension to Karnal, however, is expected to fast-track the project’s completion.
The new Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) will run from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Karnal in Haryana, covering a distance of 135 kilometres. Currently, a road trip from Delhi to Karnal takes around two and a half hours. Once operational, the Rapid Rail will reduce the travel time to just 45 minutes – a reduction of more than 80%. This high-speed service will operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h, offering commuters a fast, efficient alternative to road travel.
17 Metro Stations Along the Route
As part of the project, a total of 17 metro stations will be constructed between Delhi and Karnal, with 3 stations to be located in Karnal itself. The stations will be strategically placed to ensure seamless access for passengers travelling not just from Karnal, but also from nearby towns such as Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, and even Chandigarh. The design of the route and its stations has already begun, with work on marking the train path underway.
The Haryana government, along with the Union Ministry, is committed to seeing the Rapid Rail system become a reality, with construction expected to begin soon.
The Rapid Rail will provide an efficient travel experience, with trains scheduled to run every 6 to 10 minutes, ensuring minimal waiting time for passengers. Each train will have a capacity of around 250 passengers, making it a convenient and affordable travel option for thousands of daily commuters. The service will cater to both residents of Haryana as well as people travelling from Delhi, offering a much-needed relief from the often-crowded and slow-moving road traffic.
This new transit system will be a game-changer for many students and workers from Haryana who live in Delhi-NCR but are often unable to make the long journey home regularly due to the time-consuming nature of road travel. With the new Rapid Rail system, residents will be able to travel back and forth more frequently, without the need for overnight stays, making it easier to maintain ties with their families while pursuing educational and job opportunities in the capital city.
Furthermore, the convenience and speed of the Rapid Rail are expected to have a significant positive impact on the local economy, boosting tourism, commerce, and overall connectivity between the cities. The project is seen as an essential step towards improving infrastructure and fostering regional growth.
The introduction of the Rapid Rail line is also in line with the government’s broader efforts to promote sustainable transportation. With growing concerns over air pollution and congestion in urban areas, high-speed rail services like this offer a cleaner, more efficient mode of transport that can help reduce the number of cars on the road, lowering emissions and easing the burden on Delhi’s already overstretched transport network.
