KMP Corridor
Haryana Reaffirms Panchgram Development Authority to Build Five Singapore-Model Cities Along KMP Expressway
Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh announced on April 21, 2026, that the 135-km Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway will emerge as a gateway to India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and a key driver of the state's industrial growth. The government has formed the Panchgram Development Authority to build five new cities along the expressway, which will be developed on the Singapore model of urbanisation.
| KMP Expressway Length | 135 km |
|---|---|
| Total Development Area (Panchgram Project) | 2.5 lakh hectares (250,000 hectares) |
| Lateral Development Zone | 2 to 6 kilometres on both sides of the expressway loop |
| Five Cities Status | Planned keeping in view the projected population for 2031 |
| Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) Plan | 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) by 2030, of which five have already been approved and are under development |
| NCR-Focused IMTs | Three of the proposed IMTs will be developed in the NCR region with the KMP Expressway as their focal point |
| Districts Covered (Eight) | Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Rewari, Mewat, Faridabad and Palwal |
| Development Authority Status | Panchgram Development Authority has been constituted by government |
| HSIIDC Mandate Shift | HSIIDC urged to prioritise faster clearances and investor-friendly ecosystem over revenue generation alone |
What Was Announced
The Haryana government has constituted the Panchgram Development Authority to develop five new cities along both sides of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway, keeping in view the projected population for 2031. The corridor will be developed on the Singapore model of urbanisation. This is a reaffirmation of a policy first approved by the Haryana Cabinet in September 2018, revived as part of the National Capital Region's Draft Regional Plan 2041.
Who Decided and When
Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Tuesday said that the 135-km Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway will emerge as a gateway to the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and a key driver of the state's industrial growth. The statement was made on April 21, 2026. With the NCR Draft Regional Plan 2041 now reviving the Panchgram framework, the project has regained momentum. The NCR Draft Regional Plan 2041, scheduled to be taken up by the NCR Planning Board on June 16, designates the 135-km KMP Expressway corridor as the "Golden Ring of Opportunity"—under the proposal, the state plans to develop five greenfield townships, or Panchgrams, across nearly 2.5 lakh hectares, extending 2 to 6 km on either side of the KMP Expressway.
Development Model and Objectives
The corridor will be developed on the Singapore model, transforming the region into a hub of modern urbanisation and industrial expansion. These developments aim to ease population pressure on Delhi while establishing Haryana as a leader in India's next phase of industrial growth. The expressway will provide robust connectivity and world-class infrastructure to accelerate investment, with three of ten planned new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) focused around the NCR region using the KMP as a focal point.
Industrial Model Townships and Infrastructure
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced the establishment of 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) by 2030, of which five have already been approved and are under development. At Panchgaon Chowk in Manesar, the Delhi–Alwar RRTS, Gurugram–Manesar Metro and the Jhajjar–Palwal rail line are to be integrated into a single hub. At Kherki Daula in Gurugram, a combined RRTS, metro and bus interchange is planned. The plan also mandates integration of the Manesar-Bawal Investment Region — a DMIC-linked national industrial priority zone anchoring the southern KMP stretch — into all state sub-regional plans.
Governance and Policy Shift
A dedicated Panchgram Development Authority is proposed to oversee the project. The government has signaled a strategic shift in HSIIDC's (Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation) approach. Rather than focusing solely on revenue generation, HSIIDC has been directed to emphasise faster clearances, efficient services and an investor-friendly ecosystem to support the broader development vision.
Development Timeline and Status
The project remained stalled for years because of land acquisition hurdles and administrative delays. After feasibility concerns in NCR districts, the present government shifted focus to the broader Dashagram proposal, envisaging 10 industrial townships across Haryana. With the NCR Draft Regional Plan 2041 now reviving the Panchgram framework, the project has regained momentum. As of July 2026, the project remains in the planning and approval stage, with the NCR Planning Board scheduled to formally consider the Regional Plan 2041 in June 2026.
Challenges and Next Steps
Industry observers caution that prolonged political disagreements and unresolved issues such as water availability could affect investor confidence at a time when the NCR is competing aggressively for large-scale investments. The region's own MP and Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh is asking whether these cities will have adequate water sources. At a recent meeting with civic agencies in Gurugram, Rao directed officials to identify a viable water source for the proposed new city before any further planning moves ahead. The next milestone is the NCRPB Board's formal review of the Regional Plan 2041 and subsequent state-level legislative and regulatory actions to operationalise the Panchgram Development Authority.
Development phases
Frequently asked questions
What is the Panchgram project?
The Panchgram Development Authority has been constituted to develop five new cities along both sides of the KMP Expressway, keeping in view the projected population for 2031. The corridor will be developed on the Singapore model of urbanisation.
How large is the development area?
The Panchgram project envisions new industrial townships and urban centres spread across 2.5 lakh hectares, with development planned 2 to 6 kilometres on both sides of the expressway loop.
Which districts will the five cities cover?
The development will cover eight districts of the state—Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Rewari, Mewat, Faridabad and Palwal.
How does Panchgram relate to Haryana's broader industrial plan?
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced the establishment of 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) by 2030, of which five have already been approved and are under development. Of the proposed IMTs, three will be developed in the NCR region with the KMP Expressway as their focal point.
What was the main policy directive to HSIIDC?
The minister emphasised that HSIIDC should shift focus from revenue generation to prioritising faster regulatory clearances, efficient services and an investor-friendly ecosystem to accelerate development along the KMP corridor.
What major concern has been raised about the project?
Even as the ambitious blueprint moves closer to approval, Gurugram MP and Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh is asking the most basic question: where will these cities get their water?
What is the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision?
Viksit Bharat 2047 is the Government of India's long-term vision to transform India into a developed nation by the year 2047, marking 100 years of independence. The initiative focuses on inclusive growth, economic expansion, sustainability, innovation, and citizen participation.
Sources
- KMP Expressway: Gateway to Viksit Bharat & Haryana's Growth
- KMP Expressway to emerge as gateway to 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision: Rao Narbir Singh
- KMP Expressway to become NCR's 'golden ring': New plan unlocks massive development in Gurugram, Manesar, Sonipat
- NCR Plan revives Panchgram, but Rao Inderjit flags water crisis
- NCR Plan 2041 bets on Panchgrams along KMP Expressway; Rao Inderjit raises water concern
- Haryana takes major step towards realising vision of Viksit Bharat-2047
- Haryana Unveils 'Central NCR' Plan Along KMP, KGP Expressways