The Ministry of Railways has made significant progress in infrastructure development, with 96.4% of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) commissioned. The Eastern DFC (Ludhiana to Sonnagar, 1,337 km) and the Western DFC (JNPT to Dadri, 1,506 km) are now largely operational, with the remaining sections under development. Additionally, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being examined for three new DFCs: East-Coast (Kharagpur to Vijayawada), East-West (Palghar-Bhusawal-Nagpur-Kharagpur-Dankuni), and North-South (Vijayawada-Nagpur-Itarsi). The final approval for these projects will depend on factors like feasibility, viability, and funding.The DFC initiative has significantly improved freight transport, increasing the number of daily trains from 247 in 2023-24 to 371 in February 2025, enhancing efficiency and reducing logistics costs. The increased freight capacity has also improved railway earnings.To modernise infrastructure, the Railways has implemented various initiatives, including the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), which has been extended beyond 2021-22 with a Rs 450 billion budgetary support. Significant upgrades include interlocking systems at 6,623 stations, advanced signaling, level crossing interlocking, and the deployment of Kavach, India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Rolling stock modernization includes acquiring high-powered locomotives and designing higher-capacity wagons for improved efficiency.The introduction of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) has also strengthened freight handling, with 97 terminals commissioned and 277 proposals approved. These terminals, equipped with mechanised loading/unloading, have enhanced cargo movement.The Ministry remains committed to infrastructure expansion, modernisation, and freight capacity enhancement to boost operational efficiency and support India’s growing logistics needs.(PIB)