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.
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%.”
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.
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.
Also Read: Major Electronics Firms Report Decline In Imports As ‘Make In India’ And Localisation Drive Growth
The NIA has secured another seven days’ custody of international gangster Anmol Bishnoi, the younger…
Delhi Police are seeking details of foreign-trained doctors as part of the Red Fort blast…
Early RSV infection raises childhood asthma risk, especially in allergy-prone families, but newborn protection can…
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Saturday again deferred its decision on taking cognisance…
Indian markets posted a third straight week of modest gains, with the Nifty and Sensex…
Iran’s Football Federation says it will skip the 2026 World Cup draw after the US…