New Delhi:
The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has placed the East-Coast Freight Corridor at the top of its list for approval among the three planned corridors, confirmed its Managing Director. This strategic move aligns with the government's vision of enhancing logistics efficiency and boosting infrastructure in eastern and coastal regions of India.
According to DFCCIL MD R.R. Jha, the East-Coast Corridor—stretching from Kharagpur to Vijayawada—is being prioritised due to its potential to significantly decongest existing freight routes and improve cargo movement along the eastern coast. This corridor will play a critical role in reducing transport costs and improving trade access to major ports.
The corridor is one of three freight corridors proposed under Phase II of DFCCIL’s expansion strategy. The other two include the East-West and North-South corridors. However, it is the East-Coast route that has emerged as strategically and economically most viable in the current context.
The East-Coast Freight Corridor is expected to span approximately 1,100 kilometers, covering industrially and agriculturally significant regions. This initiative is part of the government’s broader focus on transforming India into a global logistics hub under the PM Gati Shakti initiative.
Jha emphasized the corridor's alignment with port-led development, making it instrumental in improving the country’s trade competitiveness. The DFCCIL is actively engaging with various stakeholders, including state governments and logistics players, to accelerate project approvals.
The proposed corridor is also seen as a means to reduce dependency on road transport and shift more freight to an electrified, greener, and faster rail network. This shift not only supports environmental goals but also helps in lowering overall freight costs.
The current operational Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors have already shown encouraging results in terms of load capacity, punctuality, and decongestion. Building on that success, DFCCIL is keen to fast-track the East-Coast project to further strengthen the national freight grid.
The Ministry of Railways is expected to take a final call on the approval and budgeting of the East-Coast Corridor soon. Once greenlit, the project will be implemented in phases, starting with land acquisition and feasibility studies.
As India eyes a $5 trillion economy target, modern rail infrastructure like the East-Coast Freight Corridor is crucial in building a resilient, future-ready supply chain.
FAQ
Q1. What is the East-Coast Freight Corridor?
The East-Coast Freight Corridor is a proposed dedicated rail corridor from Kharagpur to Vijayawada, focusing on boosting freight efficiency along the eastern coast of India.
Q2. Why is the East-Coast Corridor being prioritized?
DFCCIL has prioritized it due to its strategic importance for port connectivity, decongestion of current routes, and potential to improve trade logistics in eastern India.
Q3. What are the other two corridors planned?
The other planned corridors include the East-West Corridor and the North-South Corridor under DFCCIL Phase II.
Q4. When is the project expected to start?
While the timeline depends on government approval, DFCCIL is actively pushing for early clearance, aiming for phased execution soon after approval.
Q5. How will this corridor benefit India’s economy?
It will enhance trade efficiency, reduce logistics costs, support green transport, and improve access to key ports—boosting India’s competitiveness in global trade.
Publish on june 21,2025 by :selvi
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