Modi inaugurates 351 km stretch of much-delayed freight corridor
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Modi inaugurates 351 km stretch of much-delayed freight corridor

The 351 km New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), built at a cost of Rs 5,750 crore, was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the EDFC’s operational control centre at Prayagraj, which will act as the command centre for the entire route.

The inauguration of commercially-run freight trains on the newly opened section along the EDFC will reduce the congestion by 50% on the Khurja-Kanpur route. It will ensure Indian Railways can run more trains on a congested train route that effectively connects North India with the east.

Only 500 km had been completed before the current inauguration of this stretch on this ambitious set of corridors that were intended to ease the pressure on freight schedules owing to their dependence on existing railway lines shared with passenger traffic.

The 1,839 km Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will run between Ludhiana in Punjab and Dankuni, near Kolkata. In the first phase, the Western DFC (1,504 km) and Eastern DFC (1,839 km) will be completed, but have been beleaguered with delays. Founded in 2006, the Dedicated Freight Corridor of India began as an ambitious project to be completed by 2016-17 at a cost of Rs 81,459 crore. The repeatedly postponed deadline for completion of the entire corridor now stands at 2021.

Land acquisition, encroachment, and contractor delays have been variously attributed. In review meetings earlier this year, DFCCIL had decided more stringent monitoring. DFCCIL terminated its contract this year with Chinese firm, Beijing National Railway Research & Design Institute of Signal & Communication, for work pertaining to signalling, citing delays.

The 351 km New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), built at a cost of Rs 5,750 crore, was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the EDFC’s operational control centre at Prayagraj, which will act as the command centre for the entire route. The inauguration of commercially-run freight trains on the newly opened section along the EDFC will reduce the congestion by 50% on the Khurja-Kanpur route. It will ensure Indian Railways can run more trains on a congested train route that effectively connects North India with the east. Only 500 km had been completed before the current inauguration of this stretch on this ambitious set of corridors that were intended to ease the pressure on freight schedules owing to their dependence on existing railway lines shared with passenger traffic. The 1,839 km Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will run between Ludhiana in Punjab and Dankuni, near Kolkata. In the first phase, the Western DFC (1,504 km) and Eastern DFC (1,839 km) will be completed, but have been beleaguered with delays. Founded in 2006, the Dedicated Freight Corridor of India began as an ambitious project to be completed by 2016-17 at a cost of Rs 81,459 crore. The repeatedly postponed deadline for completion of the entire corridor now stands at 2021. Land acquisition, encroachment, and contractor delays have been variously attributed. In review meetings earlier this year, DFCCIL had decided more stringent monitoring. DFCCIL terminated its contract this year with Chinese firm, Beijing National Railway Research & Design Institute of Signal & Communication, for work pertaining to signalling, citing delays.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

India’s Maha Kumbh of Road Construction

The RAHSTA Forum 2025, held on June 25 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, delivered powerful insights and dialogue on the future of India’s roads and highways sector. Organised by the FIRST Construction Council, the Forum served as the curtain-raiser to the much-anticipated RAHSTA Expo 2025, set to take place on 3rd and 4th September at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai.Union Minister of Roads Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, while appreciating the efforts of FIRST Construction Council and ASAPP Info Global Group, commended the awards which recognise excellence across various..

Next Story
Real Estate

Built to Last, Designed to Impress

The construction and interior design industries stand at the confluence of functionality and aesthetics, where innovation powers the creation of enduring structures and inspiring spaces. At the heart of this process are materials and solutions that enable architects, designers, and builders to realise their visions with precision and reliability.Featuring iconic brands such as Fevicol—synonymous with adhesive solutions—Dr. Fixit, a complete waterproofing system renowned for addressing every critical area of construction, and Roff, a specialist in tile-fixing solutions, Pidilite has earned ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

New Push to Cut India’s Air Pollution through Power Sector Reforms

In a significant stride toward environmental sustainability, Cummins India introduced CPCB IV+ compliant gensets to India on July 5, 2023, marking a paradigm shift in the power generation industry. These generators are engineered to adhere to the progressive emission norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Being the first sets in the field, they have garnered praise for their remarkable achievements in emissions reduction and cutting-edge technology. Powerica, with its four-decade-long partnership with Cummins India Limited, is dedicated to consistently deliver th..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?