Haryana unveils high-speed rail link

New Delhi: The Haryana state government has unfolded its ambitious plan to link the state with the national capital Delhi with a high speed train.

According to Haryana Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sharda Rathore the feasibility survey has been completed by Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System (DIMTS) for linking the historic Panipat city with Delhi via Sonepat.

The high speed train is to be run on a dedicated corridor. While Haryana government would fund construction of the dedicated corridor, the Indian Railways are expected to operate the service.

Rathore said that the high speed train would usher a new era of development and progress in the state.

Delhi is surrounded from three sides by Haryana. Experts believe that Haryana has thus far failed to exploit its close proximity with land-starved Delhi to its full potential which could have resulted in huge revenue generation.

Thus far only Gurgaon and to some extent Faridabad have benefited due to their status as Delhi's satellite towns. However, problem of connectivity has been a major concern in their further growth.

The high speed train, when it becomes operational, is expected to address the connectivity issue.

While Gurgaon has already got connected with Delhi by the metro rail service, metro will reach Faridabad sometime next year.

The historic town of Panipat is situated about 129 km north of Delhi. It takes about three hours to travel the distance at present by road.

Panipat is the past was known as the gateway to Delhi and had witnessed three historic wars. However, Panipat is now more famous for its carpets. The town located on the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway is dotted with industries that produce world class carpets, towels and furnishing materials.

Gateway

Panipat was in the past seen as the gateway to Delhi and witnessed three historic battles.

The first battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between the Mughal empire founder Babur and Sultan of Delhi Ibrahim Lodhi. Lodhi's defeat enabled Babur to establish the Mughal Empire.

The second battle of Panipat was fought in 1556 between Babur's grandson Akbar versus the Hindu king Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, who was also known as Hemu. Hemu's defeat truly established the Mughal Empire in India.

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 between Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali, an ethic Pashtun from Afghanistan.

This was the time when influence of the Mughals was on decline and Marathas from western India were keen on capturing the entire north and extend their kingdom up to Kabul in Afghanistan. Abdali won the battle and with it the hopes of the Marathas evaporated.