Page 28 - ITLN May-June 2025

Spotlight
Western Dedicated
Freight Corridor

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
Neutral access for public and the north and northwestern regions, section, forming a critical link for
private players which account for more than 30% of pan-India cargo movement. Future
Crucially, WDFC’s infrastructure EDFC's freight trains. expansion plans include the East Coast
is designed for neutral access, “Both corridors transport a range Corridor (1,115 km from Kharagpur to
accommodating both public and of goods like cement-clinker, POL, Vijayawada), the East-West Corridor
private port traffic. With private fertiliser, food grains, and iron & steel, (2,073 km from Palghar to Dankuni,
ports like Mundra and Pipavav but the WDFC’s balanced operations plus 195 km from Rajkharsawan to
connected via spur lines, Indian highlight its superior asset utilisation Andal), and the North-South Corridor
Railways has ensured that the WDFC and efficiency in freight transport,” (975 km from Vijayawada to Itarsi).
remains a level playing field for all mentioned Verma.
stakeholders, encouraging healthy Driving a modal shift from
competition and seamless cargo Building the next generation road to rail
movement across the network. of logistics hubs The WDFC is also a powerful catalyst
The WDFC is also a catalyst for for shifting freight from road to rail,
Optimising cargo flows to multimodal integration, linking directly reducing highway congestion.
minimise empty runs rail, road, and potentially air cargo Verma noted, “The Trucks-on-
Efficient asset utilisation is at the core to create a seamless logistics Train (ToT) service directly causes
of WDFC’s operational philosophy. ecosystem. As the WDFC extends modal integration & modal shift. The
The WDFC exemplifies operational towards Navi Mumbai’s JNPT Port, High Speed Cargo Service (HSC) also
efficiency, with more than 52% of its plans are underway to link it with the alleviates vehicular load from the roads
traffic consisting of container cargo. upcoming Navi Mumbai International by attracting cargo on WDFC.”
These trains transport finished goods Airport, creating a critical hub for The WDFC is not just a rail line –
from industrial hubs to ports for high-value, time-sensitive cargo. it’s a strategic backbone for India’s
consumer markets and exports, while Verma stated, “The DFCCIL economic growth. By enabling
also bringing back raw materials and is supporting this vision through faster, safer, and more efficient
imported items. significant investments in Multimodal cargo movement, it is redefining the
With empty rakes accounting for Logistics Parks (MMLPs), Gati Shakti country’s logistics landscape, laying
just 17% of the total traffic, WDFC Multimodal Cargo Terminals (GCTs), the groundwork for a truly multimodal
stands in stark contrast to the Eastern private freight terminals, and goods freight network. As the corridor expands
Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), sheds, transforming each station into a and integrates further, its role in
where empty rakes make up 44%. thriving economic centre.” supporting India’s ambitions as a global
This is due to the significant return of To strengthen this logistical manufacturing and export powerhouse
empty coal rakes from power plants in backbone, DFCCIL is developing GCTs will only grow stronger.
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