Operationalization of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

October 14, 2023

India’s ambitious Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) project, at a cost of Rs 51,000 crore, has reached a significant milestone. This development comes after a successful trial run of the first freight train over the 401-kilometer-long New Sahnewal (Punjab) to New Khurja (Uttar Pradesh) section of the EDFC.

Full Operationalization of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

The entire 1337-kilometer EDFC is now declared operational, marking a significant step in India’s infrastructure development. The first commercial service on this route is scheduled to commence on November 1. This achievement is a crucial in enhancing the efficiency of freight transportation across the country.

Western Dedicated Freight Corridor: A Parallel Advancement

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), covering a length of 1046 kilometers and connecting Khurja to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra, is set to bring about similar transformations in the transportation sector. The estimated cost for the completion of WDFC during the next fiscal is Rs 72,000 crore.

Rapid Progress Toward Completion

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has reported that more than 95% of the total Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will be completed by March 2024. The entire corridor, encompassing both the EDFC and WDFC, is at an advanced stage of completion.

Milestones Achieved

At present, 2383 kilometers, which represents 83.8% of the total length of 2843 kilometers, have been commissioned. These milestones reflect the substantial progress in the development of the DFCs.

Cost Escalation Challenges

The total cost of the Dedicated Freight Corridor has exceeded initial estimates, reaching Rs 1.24 lakh crore. This is significantly higher than the initially sanctioned cost of Rs 82,000 crore. One of the main factors contributing to this cost escalation is the rising land acquisition cost, which has increased from the initial estimates of Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore.

Efficiency Gains: A Game Changer

Despite the cost challenges, the operationalization of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor has led to a significant reduction in the transit time for coal transportation from the coalfields of Eastern India to the power plants in Northern India, reducing it by 30-40%. This achievement is instrumental in lowering the inventory costs of power plants and ensuring a reliable power supply.

Transforming Freight Transit

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor has also played a crucial role in improving efficiency. It has reduced freight transit time between the ports of Western India and North India by almost 50%. This transformation is exemplified by the successful and expedited transportation of perishable commodities, such as milk, from the dairies of Gujarat to the National Capital Region (NCR).

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