Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat Corridor Gets TOD Status in Haryana: What It Means for Panipat, Sonipat and Karnal

Chandigarh: Haryana has taken an important planning step for the proposed Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat corridor, bringing the 136.30-kilometre Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) alignment under the state's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy. The Haryana Town and Country Planning Department notified the policy amendment on September 22, adding the corridor to the list of Mass Rapid Transit System routes eligible for TOD planning. The move establishes a formal planning framework for development around the proposed Namo Bharat stations. The development has renewed attention on a project that is expected to improve regional connectivity between Delhi and major urban centres of Haryana, including Sonipat, Panipat and Karnal.

What Is the Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat Project?

The proposed Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat RRTS is a semi-high-speed regional transport corridor being developed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). The planned route stretches from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi towards Karnal, passing through important locations along the Delhi-Haryana corridor. Government documents describe the project as a 136.30-km corridor designed to provide faster regional connectivity. The estimated journey time between Delhi and Karnal is around 90 minutes under the proposed operating parameters.NCRTC describes the corridor as a route connecting Delhi with towns including Sonipat, Ganaur, Samalkha, Panipat and Karnal, with the potential to support regional economic development along the alignment.

Haryana Changes Its TOD Policy

Haryana's latest notification amends the state's TOD Policy, which was originally notified in 2016. Transit-Oriented Development focuses on creating better-planned urban areas around public transport stations. Instead of treating a railway or rapid-transit station simply as a boarding point, TOD planning can integrate residential, commercial and other activities with pedestrian access, public transport and supporting infrastructure. With the Delhi-Panipat-Karnal corridor now included in the policy framework, areas surrounding eligible stations can be considered for development under TOD planning principles. The notification followed a request from the Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) and formally incorporated the approved corridor alignment into the policy's annexure.

Which Haryana Cities Will Benefit?

The proposed alignment covers several important urban and industrial centres of Haryana. In the Sonipat region, the corridor includes locations such as Kundli, Bahalgarh, Murthal and Ganaur. Samalkha and Panipat are included further north, followed by locations around Kohand, Gharaunda and Karnal. Project documents list 17 main stations, excluding Sarai Kale Khan, along with provisions for four future stations. The proposed corridor includes both elevated and underground sections. For residents and businesses along the National Highway 44 belt, the project could provide a new regional transport option connecting major employment, education, commercial and residential centres.

What Does TOD Mean for Local Development?

The inclusion of the corridor in Haryana's TOD policy could have implications beyond transportation.TOD planning is intended to encourage development around transit stations in a coordinated manner. Depending on the applicable planning regulations, this can support higher-density development, mixed land uses, and improved connectivity between stations and surrounding neighbourhoods, for cities such as Panipat and Karnal, the policy framework could become particularly relevant as new development takes place around proposed stations. Better integration between public transport, roads, walking routes and commercial areas can also help create more accessible urban centres. However, the precise development controls, permissible activities and implementation details will depend on subsequent planning decisions and applicable regulations.

Project Cost and Infrastructure

The Delhi-Panipat-Karnal corridor has been estimated at more than ₹33,000 crore in revised project documents. A Delhi government economic survey records the revised project cost at approximately ₹33,051 crore, while also noting that the revised DPR covers a 136.30-km route.NCRTC has already awarded contracts associated with road widening and restoration along sections of the proposed corridor. It has also awarded work involving the shifting of existing utility services such as sewer lines, water mains and storm-water drains. These activities indicate that preparatory and enabling works have been progressing along parts of the proposed alignment.

Is the Namo Bharat Corridor Finally Moving Ahead?

The Haryana government's TOD notification is an important planning development, but it should not be confused with a final central construction sanction for the entire project. The Union government said in August 2026 that NCRTC had submitted DPRs for the Delhi-Karnal and other proposed Namo Bharat corridors. The government also stated that such projects undergo examination at different levels before financial assistance is considered, taking into account feasibility and availability of resources. Therefore, the latest TOD decision creates a planning framework around the corridor, while further approvals and project-level decisions remain relevant to full implementation.

Why Panipat and Karnal Are Watching Closely

The proposed rapid-transit connection has attracted considerable interest in Panipat and Karnal because both cities are closely linked to Delhi and the wider NCR economy. Karnal's inclusion in the National Capital Region had already increased expectations of stronger regional connectivity. Extending the proposed Namo Bharat route from Panipat to Karnal would place the city on a direct regional rapid-transit corridor towards Delhi. For commuters, businesses and investors, improved transport connectivity can influence where people live, work and establish commercial activities. The TOD framework is designed to coordinate that potential growth with the transport network.

A New Development Framework Along the Corridor

The inclusion of the Delhi-Panipat-Karnal Namo Bharat corridor in Haryana's TOD policy marks a new phase in planning for the region. The immediate significance of the September 22 notification is that the corridor is now formally covered by Haryana's TOD framework. Future planning around stations can consequently be undertaken with public transport connectivity at the centre. As work related to utilities, roads and other preparatory components continues, attention will remain on the project's remaining approvals, funding and implementation schedule. If completed as proposed, the Namo Bharat train Haryana network could become an important part of the region's long-term transport infrastructure, connecting Delhi with major cities along the Panipat-Karnal belt and potentially reshaping development around its stations. For now, the TOD notification provides a clearer planning framework, while the project's next major milestones will depend on the remaining government approvals and implementation decisions.