Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) Project: Here's all you need to know

On September 15, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Modi gave a nod to the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC)  Project. The 121.7-km long corridor will connect Palwal and Sonipat. The project will also decongest the Delhi-NCR. 

As per the government, 'This rail line will start from Palwal and end at Harsana Kalan station (on Delhi-Ambala section). This will give connectivity en route to Patli station (on Delhi-Rewari line), Sultanpur station (on Garhi Harsaru-Farukhnagar Line) and Asaudha Station (on Delhi Rohtak line).'

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The government further added, ' It will provide high-speed seamless connectivity of this region to Dedicated Freight Corridor network resulting in reduction of cost and time of transportation for EXIM (export-import) traffic from NCR to ports of India, making exports of goods more competitive. It will also open option for commuter trains in the unserved regions of Haryana.' 

Details of the project:

1- The 121.7-km long corridor is expected to be completed in the next years and will have 17 stations.

2- The project is estimated to cost around 5,617 crores. 

3- The project is a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Haryana. It will be implemented by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corp. Ltd. 

4- After the completion of the project, around 20,000 passengers are expected to travel through this rail corridor every day. In addition to this, 50 million tonnes of goods will also be carried every year through this route. 

Why there is a need of the corridor?

1- The HORC will connect all the routes originating from Delhi and passing through Haryana while bypassing Delhi, thus decongesting Delhi-NCR. 

2- The rail corridor will reduce the travel time between Gurugram the industrial regions in Haryana-- Manesar, Sohna, Farukhnagar, Kharkhauda and Sonipat. 

3- It will also help in the development of the multi-modal logistics parks. 

4- It will provide high-speed seamless connectivity of this region to Dedicated Freight Corridor network resulting in the reduction of cost and time of transportation for EXIM traffic from NCR to ports of India, making exports of goods more competitive. 

5- The project will also boost economic and social activities by connecting unserved areas in the state. 

Timeline of HORC Project: 

1- On March 5, 2019, Ministry of Railways granted approval for the project. 

2- On June 25, 2019, the DPR was approved by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). 

3- On July 16, 2019, the Haryana Cabinet approved the project in a meeting. 

4- On October 24, 2019, expanded board for railways approved the project. 

5- On March 5, 2020, a draft was submitted to Cabinet Secretariat and Prime Minister's office for the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Prior to this, it was approved by the Union Minister of Railways and Union Finance Minister. 

6- On September 15, 2020, the project got a nod from the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister. 

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