Ballabgarh-Palwal Metro project may start next year

Announced in 2023 by the state government, the proposed 24-km-long Metro rail project to connect Ballabgarh with Palwal city is likely to begin next year.

Since the state Cabinet discussed the project in its meeting recently, the process of completion of the geo-technical investigations and preparing the DPR is expected to begin early next year, reveal the sources in the district administration.

The geo-technical investigation helps understand the foundation requirement for the construction of any new infrastructure, underground utilities, underground parking lot and surrounding parking area.

As it is the first time that the matter has come up for discussion at the state level after the recent elections, the authorities have reportedly delved on the tentative number of stations and the budget required for the project. While the cost of laying the rail track per kilometre is reported to be around Rs180 crore, the project may cost around Rs 4,400 crore. However, the exact budget of the project will be known after the preparation of the DPR. With hardly any doubt over the alignment of the Metro track along the National Highway-19 , the project is expected to have 10 to 12 stations between Ballabgarh and Palwal cities.

It may be recalled that a feasibility survey was conducted by a team from RITES and HMRTC (Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation) for the proposed Metro extension’s alignment here on June 27, 2023. The team’s findings revealed the length of the corridor and the plans for the establishment of the tentative stations along the route. The then Palwal DC had been directed to prepare a comprehensive mobility plan for the region. The issue had also come up in the recent election when the PM Narendra Modi and other leaders had also promised the Metro facility for Palwal. Congress leaders, including former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had also promised Metro connectivity to Palwal in the election campaign.

Mool Chand Sharma, a former minister and BJP MLA from Ballabgarh, said as the issue had been discussed recently, the process of preparing the DPR was likely to be taken next year. He said it was an ambitious project and would benefit a large number of commuters in the region.