The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) projects are being undertaken by the Indian Railways to increase the use of rail transport in the country’s overall freight movement. The goal of the National Rail Plan is to increase the rail’s modal share from 28% to 44% by 2051.
The DFC project consists of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, which are expected to be fully operational by a certain time. The benefits of these corridors and their impact on the Indian economy are also discussed in this episode of TOI Business Bytes. Nanduri Srinivas, the Director of Operations & Business Development at the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL), provides insights into this transformative project.
Through the video, viewers can learn more about the DFC projects, their timelines, and how dedicated freight lines are relieving the congestion on regular railways, allowing for faster passenger trains and the introduction of new services.
Srinivas highlights the increased speed of freight transport on the DFCs, which currently operates at an average speed of 60 kmph, compared to the 25 kmph on regular railway lines that prioritize passenger trains over freight. He also gives examples of how the dedicated freight corridors have reduced transport time and costs for various commodities, such as coal and perishable goods.
The implementation of dedicated freight lines by railways has also led to a decrease in inventory stock requirements in industries, particularly for coal in powerhouses.
Furthermore, Srinivas discusses the introduction of Gati Shakti terminals and private sector participation in freight terminals on the dedicated freight corridors. These initiatives are expected to improve the efficiency of freight movement and open up new opportunities for railways in transporting different types of commodities.
