Railways DFCCIL scales long-haul operations

09 Oct 2024 CW Team

Indian Railways, through the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL), has decided to scale up its long-haul train operations to address a growing crew shortage and improve logistics efficiency. Long-haul operations, involving the running of trains over longer distances without crew change, will allow the railways to optimize the deployment of its manpower and resources. This move comes as Indian Railways grapples with a shortage of crew, which has been impacting the timely operation of freight trains across the network.

DFCCIL’s long-haul strategy primarily focuses on freight transport, which is vital for the country's logistics sector. By extending the distances covered by trains without requiring crew shifts, the railways aim to reduce delays, increase throughput, and maintain uninterrupted freight movement. The initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), which are already designed to handle high volumes of freight traffic across key industrial routes.

The shift toward long-haul operations reflects a broader effort by Indian Railways to adapt to manpower constraints while continuing to meet the growing demands of India’s logistics and transportation sectors. It also highlights the strategic importance of freight transport in driving economic growth, as timely and efficient movement of goods is essential for industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture.

As Indian Railways modernizes its operations, the scale-up of long-haul trains is anticipated to reduce the pressure on its workforce, while also ensuring that the rail network can support the expanding needs of the country’s freight sector. The move is part of a larger effort to optimize India's rail infrastructure and maintain competitiveness in global logistics.

Building Material

18 Sep 2025

Ambuja Cements Drags JSW Cement to Court Over ‘Kawach’ Brand

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has filed a trademark infringement case against JSW Cement in the Delhi High Court, alleging that its rival copied the ‘Kawach’ brand with its new product ‘Jal Kavach’.Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued summons to JSW Cement and its subsidiary, JSW IP Holdings Pvt Ltd, while referring the matter to mediation. Hearings are scheduled to resume on October 15 if no settlement is reached.Ambuja, which registered the ‘Kawach’ trademark in 2019, argues that the term ‘Kavach’—meaning shield—is the distinctive feature of its branding. ..

Bentley Systems Named Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 by Afcons

Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, has been recognised by Afcons Infrastructure Limited as its Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 at the Innovation Partners 2025 Felicitation Ceremony in Mumbai. The award acknowledges Bentley’s contribution to Afcons’ engineering digitalisation journey through an enterprise agreement providing access to over 250 Bentley engineering software tools. This adoption has enabled Afcons to accelerate project delivery, standardise digital workflows, and strengthen innovation across its infrastructure portfolio. Among key i..

SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC

State Bank of India (SBI) has completed the sale of a 13.18 per cent stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for over Rs 8,889 crore. The divestment is part of a Rs 13,482 crore deal finalised in May with SMBC and seven private banks.Following the transaction, SBI’s shareholding in Yes Bank stands at 10.8 per cent. The deal, involving 4,134.4 million shares at Rs 21.50 each, is the largest cross-border transaction in the Indian banking sector.SBI Chairman C S Setty described the 2020 RBI-led rescue of Yes Bank as a pioneering public-private partnership, addi..