Rail Connectivity Proposal between IGI Airport Delhi & Hisar Airport approved | 14 Apr 2023

Why in News?

On 12 April 2023, Chief Minister Manohar Lal proposed rail connectivity for freight as well as passengers between IGI Airport, Delhi and Maharaja Agrasen International Airport, Hisar via Bijwasan-Gurugram-Garhi Harsaru-Sultanpur-Farukh Nagar-Jhajjar.

Key Points

• It is known that this report was presented in the meeting of Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC) held on April 12 under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal.
• Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, who also heads the HRIDC, said the project would be sent to the Railway Ministry for approval. This project will be completed in two phases.
• Rail connectivity will be developed between Garhi Harsaru-Farukh Nagar-Jhajjar in the first phase, while Maharaja Agrasen International Airport, Hisar will be connected in the second phase. This rail link will spur regional development, improve transport efficiency and promote sustainable mobility for both goods and passengers.
• HRIDC Managing Director Rajesh Agarwal said that the proposed project will develop Garhi Harsaru-Farukhnagar (11 km) existing single line and Farukh Nagar-Jhajjar (24 km) missing link into double line. Rs 1225 crore will be spent on this.
• Jhajjar-Rohtak (37 kms) existing single line, Rohtak- Dobh Bhali-Hansi (68 kms) work is in progress by Northern Railway. The Hansi-Maharaja Agrasen Hisar (25 km) line will be developed in the second phase.
• Rs 1040 crore has been approved from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for rail projects in the state. Agreement for this will be signed soon.
• The Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) was given an amount of Rs 874 crore by the Union Ministry of Finance under the scheme of special assistance to states for capital investment for 2022-23. The Government of India has expanded this scheme, for which a proposal for assistance will be sent soon.