The volume of freight moved on India’s dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) has doubled in the current financial year. According to data from the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL), net tonne kilometres (NTKMs) surged to 62,282 million between April and October 2024. This is up from 32,164 million NTKMs during the same period in 2023. The increase represents a jump of 292.4 million NTKMs per day from 151 million NTKMs per day last year.
The addition of 522 kilometres to the DFC network in 2023-24 has driven this growth.
Expected 20% Increase in Freight Traffic by 2025
DFCCIL officials predict a 20% rise in freight traffic after the remaining 102 km stretch of the western DFC is completed by the end of 2025. The expected earnings for 2024-25 will surpass previous records.
Currently, 350 trains run daily on the DFC network, with plans to increase this to 480 trains per day.
“We have exceeded our target of handling 70% of the railways’ traffic on sections parallel to the eastern and western DFCs,” said a DFCCIL official. “In the eastern DFC, we’ve already crossed 80%, while the western DFC is at 60%.”
DFC Network Eases Congestion on Traditional Rail Routes
The shift of freight to the DFCs has decongested traditional routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata. This shift improves efficiency across India’s rail network.
The western DFC, covering 1,506 km, handles containerised cargo, cement, petroleum products, and trucks-on-train. The eastern DFC, spanning 1,337 km, moves bulk cargo such as coal, iron, steel, fertilisers, and foodgrains.
Delays in Western DFC’s Final Leg
The Vaitarna-JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) section of the western DFC has faced delays. Tata Projects was awarded the contract in 2017 but was terminated in 2022 due to slow progress. However, after Tata Group committed to speeding up the work, the termination was reversed, and the project will continue.
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