India's Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a 1,337-km rail route connecting Bihar to Punjab, is revolutionizing coal transportation. It significantly reduces delivery time from Eastern coal mines to Northern power plants, addressing previous coal shortages and blackouts. This project, launched in 2006 and accelerated by the NDA government in 2014, aims...
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to shift freight transport back to railways. The Western DFC, spanning 1,506 km and connecting Haryana to Mumbai, has already reduced transit time for export/import traffic by 50%. The DFCs have attracted major freight players, with container and cement loading increasing significantly. Services like Truck on Train (ToT) are used by companies like Amul and Maruti Suzuki, providing efficient freight movement. Experts believe the DFCs will decongest the rail network and promote rail transport by offering higher speed, axle loads, and improved operational features. However, developing supporting infrastructure like warehouses and last-mile connectivity is crucial for a successful transition from road to rail.