270-Km Orbital Rail Corridor To Link Key NCR Cities, Ghaziabad Authority To Work With Haryana On Feasibility Study

In a major step towards improving connectivity and economic activity in the National Capital Region (NCR), work is progressing on the orbital rail project, which forms part of the NCR Planning Board's 2041 regional plan.

This rail project aims to integrate with the rapid rail (RRTS) corridor near Duhai, adding to seamless passenger and freight movement across NCR cities — Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Noida, and Greater Noida.

The UP government has designated the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to serve as coordinating body, working with the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) on the project's development.

As per reports, a sum of Rs 10 lakh has been allocated to HRIDC for preparing a feasibility report, which is expected in six months.

The orbital rail project envisions a railway network running along the periphery of Delhi, aligning with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the Western Peripheral Expressway.

These two existing expressways, each approximately 135 km long, form a circular route allowing vehicles to bypass Delhi, passing through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

The planned 270-kilometre rail project will cover 90 km in Uttar Pradesh. This rail network will feature stations every five km, extending coverage to areas in UP and Haryana that the expressways bypass.

In May, Meerut Divisional Commissioner Selva Kumari led a meeting with all key stakeholders from NCR and UP to expedite the project.

As per official statements, with multi-modal integration as a key focus, the rail will also connect with the rapid rail near Duhai, covering NCR cities like Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Noida, and Greater Noida.

It will create a new freight corridor, linking with the Dadri freight corridor.