Indian Railways Gives Big Efficiency Boost On Freight Corridor As Goods Train Records High Average Speed

Freight trains will not have to slow down on the 351 km-long New Bharatpur-New Khurja stretch of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, Times of India reports.

This feature means that the freight trains can achieve high average speeds leading to faster transportation of materials. For example the goods train flagged off by Prime Minister Modi on the corridor covered 59.6 km in one hour, while travelling at its designated speed of 60 kmph.

This is touted to be one of the unique elements of the two dedicated corridors. The railway officials have revealed that the strict implementation of good maintenance services will provide such convenience to the freight trains on this route.

It should be noted that premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi suffer from low average speeds owing to patches of slower tracks and track congestion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (29 December) inaugurated the 351 km long 'New Bhaupur-New Khurja section' of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and Operation Control Centre (OCC) at Prayagraj.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the government. The overall cost is pegged at Rs 81,459 crore.

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has been set up as a special purpose vehicle to undertake planning, development, mobilisation of financial resources, construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC).

Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, “After Independence we are witnessing the inauguration of the most advanced rail section in the country. The first goods train that will run on the New Bhaupur-Khurja section will give a message of the new 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and the new operation control centre in Prayagraj is one of the best control centres in the world.”

“The Operation Control Center in Prayagraj is also a symbol of the new power of the new India. Anyone will be proud as the management and data technology used in the control centre has been prepared in India,” he said.

(With inputs from IANS)