Railways Boosts Infrastructure with Freight Corridors & Modernisation
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Railways Boosts Infrastructure with Freight Corridors & Modernisation

The Ministry of Railways is actively advancing the construction of two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to enhance freight transportation efficiency. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) spans 1,337 km from Ludhiana to Sonnagar, while the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) extends 1,506 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri. Of the total 2,843 km planned, 2,741 route kilometre approximately 96.4 per cent—have been completed and are now operational. Work on the remaining sections is in progress.

Additionally, the Ministry is preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for three new DFCs to further expand freight connectivity:

? East-Coast Corridor – Kharagpur to Vijayawada ? East-West Corridor – Covering Palghar, Bhusawal, Nagpur, Kharagpur, and Dankuni, along with a sub-route from Rajkharsawan to Andal via Kalipahari ? North-South Sub-corridor – Connecting Vijayawada, Nagpur, and Itarsi

The DPRs for these corridors are under evaluation, but none have been sanctioned yet. Given the capital-intensive nature of DFC projects, final approval depends on factors such as technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, projected traffic demand, and funding availability.

The DFC initiative is expected to significantly impact the transportation and logistics sector by facilitating Double Stack Container (DSC) trains, enabling higher axle load capacity, and improving access to northern industrial hubs from western ports. The Eastern DFC will primarily support mineral transportation from eastern India, contributing to reduced logistics costs.

Shifting freight traffic to EDFC and WDFC has freed up space on conventional railway lines, increasing operational efficiency. The average number of trains operating on DFCs rose from 247 per day in 2023-24 to 352 per day in 2024-25 (as of February 2025), with 371 daily trains recorded in February alone. This has enabled Indian Railways to introduce additional freight and passenger services with improved punctuality, boosting revenue.

The modernization and expansion of railway infrastructure remain a continuous process, driven by operational requirements, technical feasibility, commercial considerations, and resource availability.

News source: PIB

The Ministry of Railways is actively advancing the construction of two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to enhance freight transportation efficiency. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) spans 1,337 km from Ludhiana to Sonnagar, while the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) extends 1,506 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri. Of the total 2,843 km planned, 2,741 route kilometre approximately 96.4 per cent—have been completed and are now operational. Work on the remaining sections is in progress. Additionally, the Ministry is preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for three new DFCs to further expand freight connectivity: ? East-Coast Corridor – Kharagpur to Vijayawada ? East-West Corridor – Covering Palghar, Bhusawal, Nagpur, Kharagpur, and Dankuni, along with a sub-route from Rajkharsawan to Andal via Kalipahari ? North-South Sub-corridor – Connecting Vijayawada, Nagpur, and Itarsi The DPRs for these corridors are under evaluation, but none have been sanctioned yet. Given the capital-intensive nature of DFC projects, final approval depends on factors such as technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, projected traffic demand, and funding availability. The DFC initiative is expected to significantly impact the transportation and logistics sector by facilitating Double Stack Container (DSC) trains, enabling higher axle load capacity, and improving access to northern industrial hubs from western ports. The Eastern DFC will primarily support mineral transportation from eastern India, contributing to reduced logistics costs. Shifting freight traffic to EDFC and WDFC has freed up space on conventional railway lines, increasing operational efficiency. The average number of trains operating on DFCs rose from 247 per day in 2023-24 to 352 per day in 2024-25 (as of February 2025), with 371 daily trains recorded in February alone. This has enabled Indian Railways to introduce additional freight and passenger services with improved punctuality, boosting revenue. The modernization and expansion of railway infrastructure remain a continuous process, driven by operational requirements, technical feasibility, commercial considerations, and resource availability. News source: PIB

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India’s first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India’s infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train’s seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi’s ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river’s health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?