India's Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is closing in on an impressive 80% completion, and the final touches are anticipated to be in place by June 2024.
The DFC tackles the challenge of freight trains sharing tracks with passenger trains, a less-than-ideal situation for a rapidly progressing economy with aspirations of becoming an industrial powerhouse. Currently, a freight train journey from Mumbai to Delhi spans three days, but the DFC is set to trim this duration to a mere 48 hours, with freight train speeds projected to surge from 20-25 km/h to 60 km/h.
A noteworthy achievement was recently reached as the DFC witnessed 154 trains in operation along its eastern segment. This extensive undertaking comprises two parts: the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), running in parallel with the Western arm of the Golden Quadrilateral road project.
The ultimate objective is to establish connections between EDFC and WDFC and the planned coastal freight corridors in central and southern India.
Additionally, the DFC is poised to make a substantial impact by notably reducing travel times and alleviating congestion on passenger rail routes, thereby enhancing overall transportation efficiency.