PM Modi to Inaugurate of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

In alignment with the government’s commitment to fortify the logistics sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 402 km-long segment of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) on 18 December.

Section Overview

• Route and Cost: The dedicated section spans from New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction, situated on the Delhi-Howrah rail route, covering districts like Chandauli, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Kanpur Nagar, and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. The project, executed at a cost of Rs 10,903 crores, boasts 12 stations, comprising six junction stations and six crossing stations.

Strategic Importance

• Coal Connectivity: The corridor crucially links the coal fields of Jharkhand and West Bengal—Eastern Coalfields Limited, Central Coalfields Limited, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, and Northern Coalfields Limited—to power plants in Northern India.
• Operational Efficiency: Freight trains on this corridor can attain speeds of up to 100 km/h, resulting in a swift supply of coal to power plants, thereby reducing logistic costs and time. Moreover, the transportation of essential goods, including iron and steel, has become more streamlined.

Impact on Rail Network

• Relief for Main Line: The commissioning of this corridor segment not only alleviates pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also ensures the smooth operation of trains on the dedicated freight corridor. This operational enhancement has allowed for the introduction of additional passenger train services on the Delhi-Howrah main line.
• Development Prospects: The vicinity of New Kanpur Junction is slated for the development of a multimodal logistics park. This facility is poised to offer efficient cargo transportation facilities, fostering new employment opportunities in the region.

Important Questions Related to Exams

Q: What is the significance of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor’s new segment inauguration by PM Modi?

A: Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a crucial 402 km stretch linking New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction. This enhances coal and goods transportation efficiency, reduces logistics costs, and eases congestion on the Delhi-Howrah main line.

Q: How does the corridor benefit the transportation of coal and essential goods?

A: The corridor connects Jharkhand and West Bengal’s coal fields to Northern India’s power plants, allowing freight trains to operate at speeds up to 100 km/h. This expedites coal supply and streamlines the transportation of essential goods like iron and steel.

Q: What impact does the new corridor have on the overall rail network?

A: The commissioning of this corridor segment not only relieves pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also enables the smooth operation of trains on the dedicated freight corridor. This operational enhancement has even facilitated the introduction of additional passenger train services on the Delhi-Howrah main line.