In a major step towards improving connectivity and economic activity in the National Capital Region (NCR), work is underway on the Orbital Rail Project, which is part of the NCR Planning Board's Regional Plan 2041.
The rail project aims to integrate with the Rapid Rail Transit (RRTS) corridor near Dubai, which will enhance seamless passenger and freight movement in the NCR cities – Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Noida, and Greater Noida. .
The UP government has nominated the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to act as the coordinating body working with the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) on the development of the project.
According to reports, HRIDC has been allocated Rs 10 lakh to prepare the feasibility report, which is expected in six months.
The Madari Rail Project envisages a railway network running around Delhi, linked with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the Western Peripheral Expressway.
These two existing expressways, each about 135 km long, form a circular route that allows vehicles to bypass Delhi, passing through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The planned 270 km rail project will cover 90 km in Uttar Pradesh. The rail network will have stations every five km, with coverage extending to areas of UP and Haryana bypassed by expressways.
In May, Meerut Divisional Commissioner Selva Kumari led a meeting with all key stakeholders in NCR and UP to expedite the project.
According to official statements, with multi-modal integration as a key focus, the rail will also connect with the high-speed rail near Doha, covering NCR cities like Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Noida, and Greater Noida. .
It will create a new freight corridor, which will be linked to the Dadri freight corridor.