Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two sections of dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) in quick succession in December 2020 and January 2021. Immediately after, videos of kilometres long double-stack container trains chugging on the new lines emerged on social media handles of Ministry of Railways and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. The trains hit top speed of 93 km per hour and average speed of 67 km per hour as against 23 km per hour clocked by a normal goods train in India.
The new lines — 351-km KhurjaBhaupur section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and 306-km Rewari-Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) — are barely 20 per cent of the corridor. The 1,875-km EDFC will connect Ludhiana in Punjab with Dankuni in West Bengal. WDFC is a 1,506-km corridor between Dadri in Uttar Pradesh and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai. The much-awaited project has seen multiple delays over the years due to land acquisition and other issues.
The entire project, stretching 3,381 kms, however, still has a long way to go. The two completed sections, spanning 650 kms, are less than one-fifth of the total length, surprising for a project that has been under construction for more than a decade and a half. Meeting the latest deadline of June 2022 — the original date of FY18-end was revised to March 2020 and then to December 2021 — is a tall order considering the stage at which the project is at present.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pension Scheme - Safety Net
The move to introduce the UPS has evoked mixed reactions. Analysts believe its funding will have limited impact on the fiscal math
The Reit Choice?
Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) Are Gaining Traction As Interest Rates Stabilise. But Returns Could Be Affected By Adverse Economic Conditions And Market Volatility
CORPORATE - Calling to Account
The sudden exit of Byju's auditor BDO marks the latest in a long series of setbacks for the edtech firm
EMPLOYMENT: Skills Push
The skill development ministry plans to partner with the UGC to improve the employability of undergraduates
Building on a Vision
L&T'S CHAIRMAN EMERITUS A. M. NAIK HAS BUILT A MAMMOTH ENTERPRISE THAT IS BUILDING A NEW INDIA, FROM ITS METRO RAIL SYSTEMS TO THE RAM TEMPLE
"KYS more important than KYC"
Vijay Kedia is a renowned equity investor; the value of his listed portfolio stands at around ₹1,750 crore
ROXX STAR
THE THAR ROXX COMBINES LUXURY WITH PERFORMANCE TO MAKE A STRONG STATEMENT IN THE MID-SIZE SUV SEGMENT
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Smartwatches have become indispensable tools for runners, offering real-time insights into pace, distance, heart rate, and more. Here are a few you can consider
TURNING THE TABLES
INDIA'S FURNITURE MARKET IS POISED FOR A GLOBAL TAKE-OFF. ALREADY, A HOST OF GLOBAL BRANDS HAVE MADE THE COUNTRY THEIR HOME, BUT INDIAN COMPANIES ARE NOT TOO FAR BEHIND
THE EVOLUTION OF ATHERA
IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES IN ADVANCE HAS STOOD THIS BENGALURU-BASED VC FUND IN GOOD STEAD. NOW, WITH A HEIGHTENED FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY, IT WANTS TO SUSTAIN THE SUCCESS
