The Indian Railways is undergoing a major transformation, focusing on improving both passenger and freight services. This includes introducing high-speed trains like Vande Bharat and developing dedicated freight corridors to streamline cargo transportation. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is nearing completion, with 1,337 kilometers of track already built between Ludhiana...
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(Punjab) and Sonanagar (Bihar). The EDFC, a broad-gauge line stretching from Ludhiana to Dankuni near West Bengal, will pass through significant industrial hubs in Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut and Khurja. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), spanning 1,506 kilometers between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT Mumbai) and Dadri Delhi, is also over 80% complete, with 1,176 kilometers already operational. These corridors will facilitate efficient transport of goods like fertilizers, food grains, salt, coal, iron, steel, and cement, leading to reduced logistics costs, the development of new industrial hubs, and the creation of 'Gati Shakti' cargo terminals. The project, costing approximately 1.08 lakh crore rupees, has seen 2,513 kilometers of track laid across both corridors, with most sections operational. Once completed, these dedicated freight lines are expected to enable freight trains to run at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing logistics costs in India. The World Bank estimates that freight transportation currently accounts for 13-15% of India's GDP, and the dedicated freight corridors are expected to bring this down to 8%, aligning with global standards.