Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to inaugurate Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor Section. The section will open new opportunities for local industries such as textile production, glassware industry, block printing, pottery products, hing production, locks and hardware.

Command Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The Operation Control Centre at Prayagraj is to act as the command centre for the entire route length of the corridor. The building is environment friendly and has been built under the norms of “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan”.

About Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor Section

The project involves the construction of 1,839 kilo metres of freight line that extends from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni (Kolkata). The line is completely electrified. It is a double track segment of 1,409 kilo metres between Dankuni in West Bengal and Khujra in UP and is a single track segment of 447 kilo metres between Ludhiana in Punjab and Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

The freight train running the in corridor will stop only at Ludhiana, Khurja, Dadri and Haryana. It will bypass densely populated towns such as Allahabad, Etawah, Kanpur, Barhan, Ferozabad, Hathras, Tundla, Meerut, Hapur, Ambala, Sirhind, Sanehwal and Doraha.

Implementing Authority of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The project was implemented by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL). It is a Special Purpose Vehicle established by Ministry of Railways. It is responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the dedicated freight corridors. Also, DFCCIL is responsible for planning, development, mobilisation of financial resources and operation. The project work commenced in 2013.

Benefits of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The main objective of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is to support freight movement in the Eastern corridor. It will ease the congestion in Railway traffic.

It will supply coal power plants in the northern regions of UP, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and parts of Rajasthan. Also, it will provide steel, cement, food grains, lime stone, fertilizers from Rajasthan.

The corridor is highly beneficial as it will connect lower Ganga basin which is densely populated. Also, Government of India plans to set up seven integrated manufacturing clusters along the corridor with an investment of 1 billion USD. This will lead to economic boost, especially in the states with poor economy such as Uttar Pradesh and will provide better employment opportunities in health, social services and education.

Funds Allocated to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The project was funded by World Bank. The bank funded 1,100 kilo metres of the line. It released 975 million USD in 2011, 1.1 billion USD in 2014 and 650 million USD in 2015 to implement the project. The Indian Railways provided 544 million USD.

Sustainability

The project is to generate 10.48 tonnes of Green house gas emissions up to 2041-42. In its absence, the transport of goods in the region would have generated 23.29 tonnes. This is 55% reduced emissions.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020