India’s Freight Movement Set For Major Shift With DFC Network, Says PM Modi

India’s freight movement is set for a major shift with the completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, highlighting its potential to make the transportation of goods faster and more efficient.

Speaking in Vadodara, PM Modi said the network spans more than 2,800 km. He said it would separate freight operations from passenger train services. The network would improve cargo movement across key economic routes.

According to PM Modi, freight trains can now cover 100 km in less than half the time they previously required on shared railway tracks. He said the freight corridor would significantly reduce travel time.

The freight corridor could cut road journeys of around 30 hours to roughly 10 to 12 hours.

The three latest WDFC sections, covering 326 route kilometres, built at a cost exceeding Rs 20,700 crore. They connect Sanand (North) with Makarpura, New Umbergaon with New Saphale, and New Saphale with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).

The new links will likely support EXIM cargo movement, reduce logistics expenses and ease pressure on Mumbai’s railway network.

The Prime Minister pointed to agriculture as a key beneficiary. Faster rail transport could help flowers, fruits and vegetables reach distant markets before they lose quality. He cited a double-stack container service between JNPT and Vadodara that carried cargo equivalent to more than 250 trucks in one trip.

More than 430 freight trains now operate each day on the Eastern and Western DFCs, PM Modi said. He added that the infrastructure would save fuel and transportation costs. It would help reduce the environmental impact of freight movement.

The programme marked the launch of freight services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT.

A new Vadodara-Tanda Road passenger service began operations.

PM Modi flagged off the service, while he dedicated the Jobat-Tanda Road railway line under the Chhota Udepur-Dhar project to the nation. The new railway infrastructure will extend rail connectivity to remote and tribal areas.

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