HORC rail tunnel between Gurugram-Manesar crosses 50% excavation mark

Of the 7.2-km tunnel, 3,773 metres are complete. Work uses NATM and eight active faces, with freight ops already generating revenue via Manesar–Patli section.

Published on: Dec 18, 2025, 03:34:04 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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A key rail infrastructure project linking Gurugram and Manesar has crossed a major construction milestone, with one of the country’s largest passenger rail tunnels under the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) achieving over 50% excavation, officials said. Of the total tunnel length of 7,200 metres, 3,773 metres have been excavated so far, significantly advancing a project aimed at easing congestion and strengthening rail connectivity around Gurugram’s industrial and urban hubs, they added.

Reviewed by chief secretary Anurag Rastogi, the project has cleared Stage-I forest approval and disbursed over ₹1,530 crore in land compensation so far. (HT Photo)

The progress was reviewed by Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi, who is also chairman of the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC), during the 33rd meeting of the HRIDC board of directors. The tunnel is being constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and is among the largest in cross section for passenger rail traffic in India. Excavation is currently underway from eight active faces, with two additional faces under development to accelerate construction.

Reviewing the overall Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, Rastogi said the project has already delivered operational gains. The Manesar–Patli section, along with the Maruti Railway Yard, was commissioned in June 2025. Since then, 372 freight rakes have been loaded from the Maruti plant at Manesar, improving logistics efficiency and marking the start of regular revenue generation for the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Limited (HORCL).

Rastogi said statutory clearances are progressing alongside construction. “Stage I forest clearance has been secured, while the proposal for Aravalli clearance has been submitted for approval. Land acquisition and compensation have also progressed substantially, with ₹1,533 crore disbursed against land awards totalling ₹1,878 crore, and an additional ₹99 crore paid against arbitration awards,” he said.

The meeting also reviewed the Kurukshetra Elevated Track project, where all major civil, track, signalling, telecommunication and electrification works have been completed, with the elevated platform nearing completion. The project will soon be offered for inspection by Northern Railways and the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

Rastogi directed officials to further accelerate work and said HRIDC should expand its national role. On the proposed Eastern Orbital Rail Corridor from Sonipat to Palwal, officials said the feasibility study is at an advanced stage after alignment approval.

“These projects reflect Haryana’s commitment to building modern, efficient and sustainable rail infrastructure,” Rastogi said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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