High Transport Output, Faster Transit: How DFC Will Benefit Indian Railways

Indian Railways authorities are executing the dedicated freight corridor (DFC) project across the national transporter's network, in order to strengthen the railway's transportation capacity and help in meeting the rising demand of the economy. According to the Railway Ministry, out of the total 2843 km of dedicated freight network, around 1337 km from Ludhiana to Sonnagar of the eastern DFC has been commissioned. Along with the eastern DFC, around 1506 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to Dadri of the western DFC has been commissioned. 

The dedicated freight corridors are being implemented in such a manner that the infrastructure will provide a higher transport output with faster transit of the freight trains. The DFC tracks will offer efficient operations of planned double-stacked container trains as well as heavy-haul trains. These heavy railway transport vehicles will add to the carrying capacity. 

The freight project gains prominence amid the COVID-19 pandemic as Indian Railways' freight loading during the financial year 2020-21 so far, has exceeded the loading compared to the previous fiscal.

According to a statement by the rail authorities, the unit cost of the freight transport will be highly reduced. This will further lead to savings in logistics costs. These advantages will improve the supply chain for industries or logistic players of the economy. The faster movement of goods through freight and heavy transportation will promote industrial activities by leveraging townships or corridors along the routes of the dedicated freight corridor.