One of the longest dedicated freight routes in the world, the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), has been finished and will open for business on November 1, 2023. The 1,337-kilometer-long, double-track EDFC connects Sonnagar in Bihar with Ludhiana in Punjab. It is intended to move large freight trains at up to 120 km/h, which is a major increase above the current mixed-traffic railway line speed limit.
The Indian economy is anticipated to be significantly impacted by the EDFC. It will increase trade, increase supply chain effectiveness, and lower the cost of shipping goods. In the areas along its course, the EDFC is also anticipated to foster industrial growth and employment creation.
The EDFC project now has a total cost of Rs 1.24 lakh crore, up from an initial estimate of Rs 82,000 crore. This is brought on by a number of things, such as the rising price of building supplies and land. The administration, however, is confident that the advantages of the EDFC will greatly outweigh the disadvantages.
Major advantages of the EDFC
Reduced freight costs: The EDFC is predicted to result in a 30% reduction in freight expenses. As a result, Indian products will be more competitive on the international market.
- Efficiency gain: By lowering transit times and delays, the EDFC will help supply chains operate more efficiently.
- Increased trade: The EDFC would make it simpler and less expensive to carry goods across India, which is anticipated to increase trade and economic growth.
- Job creation: Millions of employment are anticipated to be created by the EDFC, both directly and indirectly.
- Industrial growth: The EDFC is anticipated to encourage industrial growth in the areas en route.
More Important Points
The EDFC is a component of a wider initiative to create a network of specific freight corridors throughout India. Since its 2022 commissioning, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) has had a beneficial effect on the Indian economy.
The majority of India’s coal traffic is anticipated to be transported by the EDFC. As a result, the strain on the passenger rail system will be lessened, and the reliability of coal supply to power plants will increase.
Steel, cement, and vehicles are among the additional types of freight that the EDFC is anticipated to transport.
