WDFC: India’s high-speed freight artery connecting key industrial hubs

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is transforming India’s freight logistics landscape, offering a new blueprint for speed, efficiency, and capacity. Stretching over 1,500 kilometres, this high-capacity, electrified rail network connects the industrial heartlands of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to key ports on India’s west coast like Mundra, Pipavav, and JNPT in Navi Mumbai. By providing a dedicated route for freight trains, the WDFC significantly reduces congestion on conventional rail lines, slashes transit times, and lowers logistics costs, making it a critical artery in India’s supply chain.

Setting a new standard for freight efficiency
SP Verma, GGM Business Development & Business Analytics at Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), stated, “With the WDFC in full swing, freight train speeds have surged, averaging over 51.5 km/h in FY 2024-25, transporting nearly 62 billion gross tonne kilometres, a marked improvement over the 38.7 billion GTKMs logged in FY 2023-24.”

This uptick in speed is not just a numerical milestone – it reflects a fundamental shift in how freight moves across the country. The corridor’s long-haul, double-stack capabilities, combined with a level-crossing-free design, have slashed transit times between the western coast’s ports and the National Capital Region (NCR), dramatically boosting overall efficiency.

Crucially, WDFC’s infrastructure is designed for neutral access, accommodating both public and private port traffic. With private ports like Mundra and Pipavav connected via spur lines, Indian Railways has ensured that the WDFC remains a level playing field for all stakeholders, encouraging healthy competition and seamless cargo movement across the network.

Optimising cargo flows to minimise empty runs
Efficient asset utilisation is at the core of WDFC’s operational philosophy. The WDFC exemplifies operational efficiency, with more than 52% of its traffic consisting of container cargo. These trains transport finished goods from industrial hubs to ports for consumer markets and exports, while also bringing back raw materials and imported items.

"More than 52% of the WDFC’s volume consists of containers, with empty rakes accounting for just 17%, significantly better than the 44% on the EDFC."  
SP Verma, DFCCIL

With empty rakes accounting for just 17% of the total traffic, WDFC stands in stark contrast to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), where empty rakes make up 44%. This is due to the significant return of empty coal rakes from power plants in the north and northwestern regions, which account for more than 30% of EDFC's freight trains.

“Both corridors transport a range of goods like cement-clinker, POL, fertiliser, food grains, and iron & steel, but the WDFC’s balanced operations highlight its superior asset utilisation and efficiency in freight transport,” mentioned Verma.

Building the next generation of logistics hubs
The WDFC is also a catalyst for multimodal integration, linking rail, road, and potentially air cargo to create a seamless logistics ecosystem. As the WDFC extends towards Navi Mumbai’s JNPT Port, plans are underway to link it with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, creating a critical hub for high-value, time-sensitive cargo.

Verma stated, “The DFCCIL is supporting this vision through significant investments in Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminals (GCTs), private freight terminals, and goods sheds, transforming each station into a thriving economic centre.”

To strengthen this logistical backbone, DFCCIL is developing GCTs on both private land and DFCCIL/Indian Railways land, creating integrated transport nodes. Currently, GCTs at New Rewari (Haryana) and New Gothangam (Gujarat) are operational, with additional projects, including the GCT at New Sakhun (Rajasthan), set to further boost the corridor’s capacity. These developments are part of a broader strategy to streamline multimodal connectivity, aligning the WDFC with India’s ambitions for a world-class logistics infrastructure.

Paving the way for a pan-India freight network
Looking ahead, the WDFC is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s multimodal freight landscape. It is already integrated with the EDFC through the New Dadri – New Khurja section, forming a critical link for pan-India cargo movement. Future expansion plans include the East Coast Corridor (1,115 km from Kharagpur to Vijayawada), the East-West Corridor (2,073 km from Palghar to Dankuni, plus 195 km from Rajkharsawan to Andal), and the North-South Corridor (975 km from Vijayawada to Itarsi).

Driving a modal shift from road to rail
The WDFC is also a powerful catalyst for shifting freight from road to rail, directly reducing highway congestion.

Verma noted, “The Trucks-on-Train (ToT) service directly causes modal integration & modal shift. The High Speed Cargo Service (HSC) also alleviates vehicular load from the roads by attracting cargo on WDFC.”

The WDFC is not just a rail line – it’s a strategic backbone for India’s economic growth. By enabling faster, safer, and more efficient cargo movement, it is redefining the country’s logistics landscape, laying the groundwork for a truly multimodal freight network. As the corridor expands and integrates further, its role in supporting India’s ambitions as a global manufacturing and export powerhouse will only grow stronger.

The article was originally published in the May-June 2025 issue of Indian Transport & Logistics News.