Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFCs)

• Context (IE): Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFCs) are key to reducing logistics costs, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and driving GDP growth, while transforming railway infrastructure & boosting revenue.

Dedicated Freight Corridor

• Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) are railway tracks exclusively designed for freight, featuring double-stack container and heavy-haul trains, enhancing capacity and speed.
• Foundation for EDFC and WDFC was laid in 2006. By 2024 three DFC stretches were inaugurated.
• Status: EDFC is operational, while WDFC is 93% complete, with full completion expected by December 2025. Over 325 freight trains operate daily on DFCs, marking a 60% increase compared to previous years.
• Freight Handling: DFCs have handled 232 billion Gross Tonne Kilometres (GTKMs) and 122 billion Net Ton Kilometres (NTKMs), making up over 10% of Indian Railways’ freight traffic.

Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)

• 1,506 km long, from Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai to Dadri (UP), handling goods like textiles, chemicals, and industrial products.
• The WDFC covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh.
• It is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)

• 1,337 km long, from Sonnagar (Bihar) to Sahnewal (Punjab), focusing on coal, steel, and agricultural products.
• The EDFC route covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal
• The EDFC route has coal mines, thermal power plants & industrial cities.
• Feeder routes are also being made for these.
• EDFC is being funded by the World Bank.
• Connecting Link for Eastern & Western Arm is under construction between Dadri & Khurja.

The other four corridors

1. East coast corridor from Kharagpur to Vijayawada (1115 km);
2. East-west sub-corridor-I from Palghar to Dankuni (2073 km);
3. East-west Sub-corridor-II from Rajkharsawan to Andal (195 km); and
4. North-south sub-corridor from Vijayawada to Itarsi (975 km).

Dedicated Freight Corridor Project

• Under Ministry of Railways.
• Implementing Agency: Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL).
• The project involves the construction of six freight corridors traversing the entire country.
• The purpose of the project is to provide a safe & efficient freight transportation system.

Significance of DFCs

• Boost to GDP: DFCs have contributed to a reduction in logistics costs, lowering commodity prices by up to 0.5%, and supporting industries’ competitiveness.
• Revenue Growth: DFCs contributed 2.94% to the growth of Indian Railways’ revenue from FY 2018-19 to FY 2022-23.
• Export-Import Traffic: The WDFC has improved port access and lowered transit times, facilitating trade and boosting economic growth.
• Employment and Investments: DFC development has created jobs and attracted investments, contributing to national economic growth.
• Eases Congestion: Golden Quadrilateral handles 50% of freight traffic with 16% of track causing delays.
• Rail Freight Share: As per the National Rail Plan, DFCs aim to boost rail freight’s share to 45% by 2030.

Challenges

• Completion Delays: Delays in completing the final section of WDFC have pushed back its full commissioning to July 2025, leading to a loss of immediate benefits.
• Cost Overruns: Delays have resulted in an additional Rs 2,690 crore in project costs, raising the total expenditure to Rs 94,091 crore by March 2024.

Way Ahead

• Timely Completion: Speeding up the remaining construction of DFC sections is essential to fully realize their benefits and avoid further cost overruns.
• Expansion Plans: Future corridors like the East Coast Corridor, East-West Sub-Corridors, and North-South Sub-Corridors will further enhance connectivity and economic integration.
• Continued Investment: Ongoing investment in technology and infrastructure will ensure DFCs meet future freight demands and maintain efficiency.