India’s Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is nearing completion, with the Railways aiming for the final touches June 2024. The project, which was initiated 18 years ago, has gained momentum under the Narendra Modi government. Once fully operational, the DFC will revolutionize freight transport in India.
Currently, freight trains in India have to wait for passenger trains on common rail lines, leading to delays and inefficiencies. This situation is not ideal for a fast-growing economy like India, which aims to become an industrial superpower. However, the DFC will eliminate this problem providing dedicated tracks for freight trains.
For instance, currently, it takes three days for freight trains from Mumbai to reach Delhi. Once all sections of the DFC are complete, this duration will be reduced to 48 hours. The average speed of freight trains will increase from 20-25 km per hour to 60 km per hour.
Recently, the DFC achieved a significant milestone with 154 trains running on the newly-commissioned sections of the eastern segment of the corridor. On an average day, around 140 trains ply the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC). The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) runs parallel to the Western arm of the Golden Quadrilateral road project.
The ultimate goal of the DFC project is to connect the EDFC and WDFC with coastal freight corridors in central and southern India. The Indian Railways’ special purpose vehicle, DFCCIL, is working on detailed projects to connect the entire country with such railway corridors.
The DFC spans nine states, 77 districts, and involves approximately 11,000 hectares of land acquisition. While the project faced delays due to land acquisition issues and cost overruns, it is now progressing steadily.
A recent study the Railway Board highlights the DFC’s potential role in meeting India’s growing power demands. The DFC can facilitate the transport of coal from mines to power stations, contributing to India’s coal-based power generation. Rail-based freight movement is considered more environmentally friendly than container trucks.
Apart from improving freight transport, the DFC will also reduce travel time and alleviate congestion on passenger rail routes. It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of boosting the logistics sector and reducing transportation costs.
According to the National Rail Plan (NRP) 2020, the Indian government aims to increase the modal share of rail in the logistics market to 40%-45% 2030-31. Rail transport is the most cost-effective mode, with rail freight costing only Rs 1.6 per tonne kilometre.
In the financial year 2022-23, Indian Railways achieved its best-ever performance in terms of freight loading, with an originating freight loading of 1512 million tonnes (MT).
The completion of the DFC will be a significant milestone for India’s transportation infrastructure, boosting the efficiency and competitiveness of its freight sector. As the project nears its final stages, it brings India one step closer to fulfilling its aspirations of becoming an industrial powerhouse.