A significant disagreement has surfaced between the Haryana government and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) over the starting point of the proposed Gurgaon–Faridabad–Noida Namo Bharat (RRTS) corridor. The state authorities are pushing for Rajiv Chowk to be the originating station, while the NCRTC's draft detailed project report (DPR) currently designates IFFCO Chowk as the starting location.
The Core of the Dispute: Ridership vs. Cost
Haryana officials are strongly advocating for Rajiv Chowk, arguing it is a far superior location to maximize the corridor's utility. They highlight that Rajiv Chowk is a central hub with a dense public transport network and serves commuters throughout the day. In contrast, areas like IFFCO Chowk and Golf Course Road primarily experience peak-hour corporate traffic.
The state believes initiating the high-speed rail line from this central junction would enhance all-day ridership, improve multimodal integration, and offer greater benefits to a larger number of commuters. They point out that Rajiv Chowk connects Old and New Gurgaon, links major highways like the Delhi–Jaipur and Delhi–Mumbai Expressways, and is surrounded by high-density residential, commercial, and administrative zones.
NCRTC's Concerns: Engineering and Financial Hurdles
However, the NCRTC has raised several red flags regarding the Rajiv Chowk proposal. The primary concern is the substantial increase in project cost. According to the draft DPR, making Rajiv Chowk the starting point would inflate the project cost by nearly Rs 2,000 crore compared to the original plan starting from IFFCO Chowk.
The corporation has outlined three potential alignments and their estimated costs:
- An 11km fully elevated alignment from IFFCO Chowk via Sector 54: Rs 2,858 crore.
- An underground alignment from IFFCO Chowk via Sector 53 (mix of underground & elevated): Rs 4,180 crore.
- An underground option starting from Rajiv Chowk via Sector 54: Rs 4,825 crore (the most expensive).
Beyond cost, NCRTC officials have pointed to higher construction challenges and a potential detour between IGI Airport's Aerocity and the upcoming Noida International Airport. They have also warned that construction near Rajiv Chowk could disrupt traffic on the busy NH-8 for nearly three years.
Project Vision and Proposed Route
The envisioned Gurgaon–Faridabad–Noida RRTS corridor is a rapid airport-to-airport link. It aims to connect Delhi's IGI Airport with the new Noida International Airport in Jewar, passing through Gurgaon and Faridabad. The total project is estimated to cost around Rs 15,000 crore and will be the third RRTS corridor to traverse Haryana.
As per the current draft DPR, the section through these cities will start at IFFCO Chowk in Gurgaon, pass via Sector 54, enter Faridabad at Bata Chowk, proceed through the Sector 85-86 intersection towards Noida sector 142/168, and finally link with the Noida airport via Surajpur. The route is planned to have six stations.
Haryana officials counter the detour concern, stating that Rajiv Chowk and IFFCO Chowk are only about 5km apart. At the RRTS's operational speed of approximately 180 kmph, they argue this adds merely one to two minutes to travel time—a negligible trade-off for the significant ridership gains.
The Strategic Importance of Rajiv Chowk
The state's insistence on Rajiv Chowk is rooted in its existing and future transit infrastructure. Rajiv Chowk is already planned to host an underground station on the separate Delhi–Gurgaon–Manesar–Bawal RRTS corridor. It is also expected to gain metro connectivity under the proposed Bhondsi–Gurgaon railway station corridor.
This would transform Rajiv Chowk into a major multimodal interchange, seamlessly connecting the RRTS with other rail-based public transport systems. Officials contend that this integration is crucial for the network's overall success and for serving Gurgaon's larger population effectively.
The differences emerged during a recent meeting to finalize the draft DPR. With both sides presenting strong arguments—one focused on long-term commuter benefits and integration, and the other on financial viability and construction feasibility—the final decision on the corridor's alignment is pending further discussion and resolution.
