The Central Government has accorded in-principle approval for extension of Delhi-Panipat Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) from Panipat to Karnal.

Confirming the development, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said that the feasibility of this project will be seen by October this year.

During his Delhi visit, Khattar met three Union Ministers including Hardeep Singh Puri, Prahlad Singh Patel and V. Sadananda Gowda to discuss various development projects related to the state.

The Chief Minister while interacting with the mediapersons after meeting Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that discussions were held with Puri regarding the construction of Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) up to the Delhi-Gurugram-Rajasthan border. The Centre will hold talks with the Delhi government to speed up the project, he said.

He said that during his meeting with the Union Minister of State for Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel, the Centre has agreed to allocate funds to Haryana Government for the construction of the cycle-bike track from Kalka to Kalesar in Haryana.

“Funds will also be provided by the Union Ministry of Tourism to develop a world-class virtual museum with references to Mahabharata and Gita at Jyotisar (Kurukshetra). Besides this, the Centre would also be allocating an amount of Rs 99 crore for Krishna Circuit-II project and Rs 97 crore for Heritage Circuit project in Kurukshetra” he said.

The Chief Minister further informed that both the projects will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Tourism.

The Centre will also provide financial assistance to Haryana for the adventure sports project in Morni (Haryana). The construction of the cycle track at 'Rakhigarhi', an archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization located in Haryana will also be done by the Union Ministry, he added.

On his meeting with Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda, he said that extensive discussions were held regarding utilization of the land provided to Hindustan Insecticides Limited and Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited in Gurugram.

The objection raised by Haryana to ban mining in the National Capital Region has also been accepted by the Centre in-principle, he added.

When asked about the demand of a separate Vidhan Sabha building raised by Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Khattar said that the present Vidhan Sabha building is small as per the requirement and a proposal has been made to the Centre for a separate building for the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

Responding to another question regarding Karnal youth Vishal Jude arrested in Australia, the Chief Minister said that he has spoken to the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The MEA is constantly trying at its level to resolve this matter at the earliest, he added.

On a query related to Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, the Chief Minister said that a meeting has been convened on July 1 to discuss the issue.