Railways launched massive infrastructure project to promote MSMEs

28 Dec 2022 CW Team

Indian Railways has undertaken a massive infrastructure project, Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with the goal of promoting MSME markets.

The DFC project consists of two sections: the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC - from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust - 1506 km) and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC - from Ludhiana to Sonnagar -1337 km).

Almost 1,610 km (799 km EDFC and 811 km WDFC) of the total route were completed by October 2022.

Similarly, on March 31, 2022, Indian Railways launched a pilot project for 'Joint Parcel Product' (JPP) in collaboration with India Post with the goal of targeting business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) markets with a focus on e-Commerce and MSME markets.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Railways in April this year, the Department of Posts will provide first- and last-mile connectivity, while Railways will provide intermediate connectivity from station to station.

A parcel van was attached to the Tapti Ganga Express (19045/46) between Surat and Varanasi for the pilot run of this project.

Earlier this year, Indian Railways reduced the application fee for MSMEs seeking to become vendors with the Railways' Research Designs & Standards Organisation from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 10,000. (RDSO).

Also read:
Railways to upgrade 3 major stations in Chhattisgarh
Railway to revamp 1,000 small stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2025

Railways approves major upgrade for Telangana traction lines

The Ministry of Railways has approved the upgradation of the electric traction system in two crucial railway sections — Medchal–Mudkhed (225 km) and Mahbubnagar–Dhone (184 km). The projects, costing Rs 1.93 billion and Rs 1.23 billion respectively, will enhance the electric traction capacity from 1X25 KV to 2X25 KV. The work includes modifications to circuit breakers and switching stations, along with the installation of additional conductors. These routes serve as vital links between Northern and Southern India via Hyderabad. Once completed, the upgraded system will reduce voltage dro..

Adani to invest Rs 425 billion more in Maharashtra’s Dighi Port

The Adani Group has committed to invest an additional Rs 425 billion in the Dighi Port project, located along Maharashtra’s coastal Konkan belt, government officials announced on Monday. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)-run Dighi Ports signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to undertake the expansion of the port and related infrastructure. This new commitment comes as part of a broader investment initiative by the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the agreement is among 15 MoUs worth over Rs 560 billion signed during the opening d..

HUDCO, JNPA sign Rs 50 billion deal for port development

In a strategic move, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) for an investment of Rs 50 billion to revamp and develop port infrastructure. The non-binding agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation on both existing and upcoming infrastructure projects, with a focus on development, financing, and refinancing of port facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The MoU was formalised with the signatures of Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman and Managing Director of HUDCO, and Unmesh Shar..