Railway authorities at the Ministry of Railways started a transformative project to transform the present two-track Delhi-Ambala railway corridor into four parallel lines. Operation productivity gets a boost through this decision, which shortens travel times while strengthening connections throughout the area. This project has been budgeted at Rs 7,074 crore and will require four years to finish through to completion.
Key Features of the Expansion Project
- Expansion of Railway Tracks: The existing two-track system will be doubled, allowing for better traffic management and increased train frequency.
- Station Upgrades: A total of 32 railway stations along the route will undergo infrastructural improvements.
- Infrastructure Enhancements: Waterlogged Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) will be replaced with Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) to ensure smoother movement of trains and vehicular traffic.
- Land Acquisition Plan: A total of 11 hectares of land will be acquired from 15 villages, ensuring fair compensation to landowners.
- Timeline and Budget: With an allocated budget of Rs 7,074 crore, the project is expected to be completed within four years.
Why is the expansion necessary?
The Delhi-Ambala corridor stands among the top busiest railway routes throughout North India since it serves passengers along with freight trains. A growing need for rail transport has caused problems in services because the present two-line system faces excessive congestion, which produces operational issues and scheduling delays. Dr. Manoj Kumar, as Sonepat Deputy Commissioner, stated that crucial track expansion is needed because the present rail line carries increasing loads.
The new rail lines will split the congestion between the present network, which will enhance operational flow for local trains together with long-distance express services. Industries depending on rail freight along with the entire regional logistics system will obtain benefits from this expansion.
Key Meetings and Administrative Support
Railway officials conducted recent meetings with Panipat and Sonepat district administration officers for the purpose of executing the project successfully. Senior railway engineers as well as planners joined Deputy Commissioners during their meetings.
At these discussions, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar introduced the project necessity by mentioning that Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) experience waterlogging in specific areas during the rainy season, leading to operational interruptions. These issues will become significantly less troublesome after the replacement process with ROBs.
District Administrator Virender Kumar Dahiya from Panipat secured complete district government backing for the project by stating “all essential assistance, including land acquisition help, will be provided to speed up project completion.”
Land Acquisition and Compensation Plan
As per railway authorities, the project will require the acquisition of 11 hectares of land across 15 villages:
- Eight villages in the Samalkha division
- Seven villages in Panipat
To address concerns of landowners, Deputy Chief Engineer Chander Shekhar highlighted that the compensation process would be transparent and fair. “We have prepared a detailed land acquisition plan, ensuring adequate compensation for affected landowners,” he stated.
Of the total land required, 80 hectares belong to private owners, while five are government-owned. The authorities are actively working to streamline the acquisition process, minimizing disruption to local communities.
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Expected Benefits of the Project
1. Faster Travel Times
The addition of two tracks will decrease train congestion, which improves express train schedule performance.
2. Improved Passenger Experience
The project integrates station modernization components that improve passenger facilities to give better travel comfort.
3. Economic Boost
Better railway connectivity will generate commercial growth in the region through superior logistics support that serves industries and businesses.
4. Enhanced Safety Measures
The construction of overpasses instead of underpasses will create dual advantages by ensuring safer travel for people on both roads and trains as well as eliminating waterlogging issues.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
The project offers multiple advantages, although administrators face important obstacles involving administrative procedures and operational budget limitations and unpredictable conditions such as extreme weather and transportation difficulties. The project will be executed successfully through strong administrative support combined with proper strategic planning, according to railway authorities.
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