Page 16 - ITLN May-June 2024 for Magzter

Industry Report
Dedicated
Freight Corridors

"speed of freight trains significantly
increasing on both EDFC & WDFC."
The spokesperson added that "the
length of trains can also be increased"
and "double stack container trains
also increase the load carrying
capacity" on DFC. Innovative offerings
like "Trucks-On-Train (ToT) reduces
transportation cost & augments modal
shift and modal integration," the
spokesperson stated. With dedicated
freight corridors "decongesting rail
tracks," it "helps both passenger
& freight train movement" while
allowing "introduction of new/special
passenger trains." The DFCs aim to
"reduce Operations & Maintenance
Costs (O&M) of assets" and will "play
a crucial role in increasing railways
share in total freight to above 40%."
Constructing a specialised corridor
exclusively for rail freight also presented
a formidable technological and
Source: DFCCIL engineering hurdle for DFCCIL."Difficult
terrain has been a challenge, with
the DFCs passing through diverse
landscapes with gradient challenges.
20-30%. Whereas transit time between potential savings that could be passed More than 5,000 bridges have been
the ports of Western coasts and the on to customers or reinvested into constructed including around 500 major
National Capital Region (NCR) has improving services. Additionally, the ones across mighty rivers, as well as
been reduced by more than half.” integration of DFCs with multi-modal a 1-km tunnel through the Aravali
The spokesperson highlighted the logistics parks (MMLPs) could further range connecting the two corridors,"
corridors are "helping agriculture, enhance efficiency and streamline according to the DFCCIL spokesperson.
industry and manufacturing...the operations, potentially reducing Land acquisition was another
MSME sector" by enabling "speedy overall logistics costs for e-commerce formidable task, with DFCCIL securing
transportation of perishables like milk, deliveries. However, the extent of cost "11,827 hectares of land across all
vegetables, fruits, and farm products, reductions would depend on various states, equivalent to over 22,000
thus reducing chances of damages factors such as the volume of shipments, football fields." The routes also
and boosting income for farmers and distance covered, and specific encountered existing infrastructure
entrepreneurs. The DFCs are also "giving operational strategies adopted by Blue like highways that required rerouting
a boost to supply chain management in Dart in leveraging DFCs for its delivery to facilitate DFC development.
the country and harnessing the potential network,” said Vikram Mansukhani, Overcoming technology gaps,
of e-commerce," while "facilitating National Operations Head of Blue Dart. workforce training, and pandemic
development of Private Freight Terminals The DFCCIL is also engaged in disruptions were other hurdles that
(PFT), Goods Sheds, Inland Container discussions with more than a dozen have now been overcome.
Depots, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks'' e-commerce and logistics firms, The construction of DFCs also
aligned with "Gati Shakti Multi-Modal including Amazon, Meesho, Delhivery, aimed to ensure sustainable
Cargo Terminals (GCT)." Blue Dart Express, and Shiprocket, development. "The DFC network is
“DFCs offer several advantages regarding the leasing of the recently 100% electrified and is harnessing
that could positively impact logistics constructed infrastructure for cargo renewable energy through installation
operations, including smoother transportation. of solar panels," highlighted the
cargo movement, increased capacity, The DFC network is increasing spokesperson. Measures like rainwater
and reduced congestion on roads. capacity within India's rail freight harvesting, tree plantation drives with
These factors could result in lower ecosystem, "More than 310 trains over 22,000 trees planted for green
transportation costs, translating into are running in both directions," with belts, recycling waste materials,
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