Uttar Pradesh Government Urges Railways To Develop Rail Corridor To Link Noida International Airport

The Uttar Pradesh government has written to the Railway Board for providing rail connectivity for the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, as per a Times of India report.  

As per the proposals, the government has sought rail connectivity between Bulandshahr's Chola Railway Station and Palwal Railway Station in Haryana via Jewar.

It plans to develop a railway station near the airport site to improve passenger and freight movement and stimulate economic activities in the area.

For the same, the Chief Secretary of UP, Durga Shankar Mishra, has written a letter to the Chairman of the Railway Board, on 3 July, urging them to explore the possibility of developing this rail corridor.

The letter highlights the potential benefits of enhanced connectivity for passengers and cargo travelling to or from the international airport, as well as the employment generation and growth opportunities it would bring to the region.

With the development of the airport, there is a strong possibility of the development of logistics, warehousing and other industrial and commercial activities in this area, Mishra noted.

“The establishment of a cargo hub and improved passenger connectivity in the region would expedite employment generation and boost the growth of logistics and various other industrial activities. These rail connections would also serve as valuable business investments for the railway ministry,” the letter states.

The eastern freight corridor, spanning from Kolkata to Amritsar, passes through the eastern side of NIA with Chola Railway Station as the nearest point along the network.

On the western side of the airport, Palwal serves as the closest point on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line.

The proposed rail connections would link the Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, and Eastern Freight Corridor routes with the NIA.

The state government has been actively exploring various options to improve connectivity around the airport.

Previously, there was a proposal to integrate the NIA with the Chola Railway Station through a 20-kilometre railway track.

Additionally, two expressways — 2.5 km apart  — are also proposed to cover a distance of 18-20 km between the airport and Chola Railway Station.

On 26 June, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority board gave its preliminary approval for the two expressways and the rail line.