Karnal-Yamunanagar rail line project on track

Parveen Arora

The long-pending demand of laying railway lines between Karnal and Yamunanagar districts will finally see the light of day. With the submission of the detailed project report (DPR) to the Railway Ministry, the final approval for the project is awaited now. People from both districts are hopeful that the long-pending demand will be fulfilled soon and it will help in the enhancement of trade between both districts.

Earlier, it was a proposal to connect Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts via Karnal, but now, the government has decided to connect Karnal and Yamunanagar districts first.

The project to connect the three districts was first announced on May 29, 1998, when the then government had announced to lay a railway line of 128 km between Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts via Karnal district, but it could not be implemented.

Later, the demand was raised in February 24, 2010; February 25, 2011 and February 25, 2011, railway budgets by different governments, but never materialised. Only surveys were conducted, but it could not materialise on ground.

After assuming charge, CM ML Khattar-led government in its first tenure took the issue with the Ministry to connect Karnal with Yamunanagar.

A ray of hope was seen in February 26, 2018, when a survey for Karnal-Yamunanagar was conducted, but the residents had to wait for further action.

Sources claim the government approved the project on September 3, 2019, and later the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited completed their detailed survey and detailed project report. Now, a DPR has been sent to the Ministry of Railway for approval.

“We are hopeful that the DPR will be approved by the ministry and the work on this long pending project will start soon,” a source said. He said after the completion of this project, the work to connect Karnal and Kaithal districts will start. “What else do people expect from the railways? A better transport facility connecting all districts with each other with high frequency high-speed trains, for which there is a need for new railway lines and expansion of existing railway lines. If we see our city’s railway station, which was established by the British in 1892, it seems to be a mockery, as it is yet be connected with its neighbouring districts –Yamunanagar and Kaithal. With this step, we are now hopeful that Karnal will be connected with Yamunanagar and later with Kaithal,” said Rajiv Kumar, a social activist of the city. It will help in boosting trade between both districts, besides providing easy connectivity to people. 

Anshul Narang, another social activist of the city, said connecting Karnal with Yamunanagar through railways lines will boost trade between both cities. He said the railway route via Karnal is the shortest route for Yamunanagar for the people living in Delhi.

FACTFILE

• Project length: 61-km 
• Will connect: Karnal from Bheni Khurd village, Ramba, Indri, Ladwa, Radaur, Damla and Yamaunagar railway workshop station
• Cost: Rs 1,173 crore (appx)