Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) Marks Full Completion – Exclusive Interview with DFCCIL MD R. K. Jain

In an unprecedented achievement, the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), spanning an extensive 1337 kilometers, has reached its momentous 100% construction milestone, ushering in a new era of Indian railway infrastructure.

On October 11, 2023, the EDFC celebrated a momentous occasion by conducting its inaugural freight train trial, which traversed a 401-kilometer journey from New Sahnewal (Ludhiana) to New Khurja, passing through the New Khatauli station. This groundbreaking trial, driven by electric traction, symbolizes the culmination of the colossal 1337-kilometer corridor.

During this significant event, NewsStation’s Editor Siddharatha had an exclusive conversation with R. K. Jain, the Managing Director of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL). Mr. Jain shared valuable insights about this monumental achievement.

Speaking to our editor, Mr. Jain announced that EDFC is poised to be officially inaugurated on the 1st of November, marking a historic day for Indian railway infrastructure. Currently, the corridor is in the phase of goods train trial movements as part of the preparations for its grand opening.

DFCCIL has been diligently progressing toward the final stages of this ambitious project. Over 83.8% of the massive 2843-kilometer corridor has been commissioned, covering 2383 kilometers. This significant headway was made possible through expedited land acquisition, efficient contract finalization, and unwavering support from the Ministry of Railways since 2014-15. The network encompasses 1046 kilometers within the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) and the entirety of the 1337-kilometer EDFC. It is anticipated that over 95% of the Dedicated Freight Corridor will be ready for operations by March 2024.

The success of the DFC network is already evident, with over 130,000 trains having traversed its extensive expanse since the inauguration of its first section. Specifically, the EDFC has seen approximately 74,000 freight trains in operation up to September 2023. In parallel, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) has facilitated the movement of around 56,000 trains since its commencement.

With the operationalization of the EDFC, the transit time for coal transportation from Eastern India’s coalfields to the Power Plants of Northern India has seen a remarkable reduction of 30-40%, significantly reducing inventory costs for power plants. The completion of the remaining section is expected to further amplify these advantages.

The WDFC has similarly excelled, leading to a nearly 50% reduction in freight transit time between the Ports of Western India and North India. This transformation is exemplified by the efficient transportation of perishable goods, including milk, from Gujarat’s dairies to the National Capital Region (NCR) in significantly less time.

DFCCIL continues its relentless journey of growth and progress, consistently integrating new sections into its extensive network. In the current fiscal year, it is operating more than 230 trains daily, contributing to earnings of over 120 billion Gross tonne-kilometers (GTKMs) and 57 billion Net tonne-kilometers (NTKMs).

DFCCIL has achieved impressive average speeds, including a record high of 99.82 kmph. These speeds surpass those of the Indian Railways, showcasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the DFC in facilitating freight transportation.

To meet the growing demand for commodities within the Indian Railways’ domain, DFCCIL has reintroduced the Trucks on Train (ToT) service. Furthermore, it has signed agreements with prominent e-commerce giants to enhance small cargo transportation between WDFC’s New Palanpur and New Rewari stations. Recognized as Economic Activity Centers, all DFCCIL stations are witnessing active development of additional terminals for rail cargo, adhering to the new ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy’ of 2022.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) holds a pivotal role in the National Logistics Policy, which aims to reduce the cost of logistics from approximately 15% of the country’s GDP to 8% by 2030. Additionally, the expansion of infrastructure capacity through DFC is instrumental in supporting Indian Railways in achieving its ambitious target of 3000 million tons of freight loading by 2027. This marks a promising future for the country’s logistics and transportation landscape.