Project Profile: Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)

The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is a high-capacity, high-speed freight railway network engineered to decongest India’s conventional rail lines and catalyze industrial development. This strategic infrastructure project, managed by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), provides a critical logistics backbone from Eastern to Northern India, fundamentally enhancing freight transportation efficiency and reliability.

Technical Specifications

The EDFC is engineered as a primarily double-track, electrified line built to modern heavy-haul standards. The track infrastructure features 60 kg/m, 90 UTS rails laid on pre-stressed concrete (PSC) sleepers, supporting a maximum axle load of 32.5 tonnes for structures and 25 tonnes for track, a significant upgrade over the existing network. Electrification is supplied via a 25kV AC, 50Hz overhead catenary system, designed for high-speed freight operations. For signaling and train control, the corridor employs an advanced Automatic Block Signaling system and modern telecommunications infrastructure. The entire network is monitored and managed through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, ensuring high levels of operational safety and efficiency.

Key Takeaways

• Network Decongestion: The EDFC segregates freight and passenger traffic, freeing up capacity on the congested Golden Quadrilateral routes and enabling faster, more reliable passenger train services.
• Economic Multiplier: By reducing logistics costs and transit times, the corridor enhances the competitiveness of Indian goods and stimulates economic activity through integrated manufacturing clusters planned along its route.
• Sustainable Transportation: The project promotes a significant modal shift from road to electric rail, aiming for a GHG emissions reduction of over 55% by 2041, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor be fully operational?

As of early 2026, major sections of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor are operational, handling significant freight traffic. The entire 1,856 km route from Dankuni to Ludhiana is expected to be fully commissioned and operational by the end of 2026, with final integration and testing currently underway.

Who is building the EDFC project?

The EDFC is being implemented by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), a special purpose vehicle under India’s Ministry of Railways. The construction, signaling, and electrification work involves multiple leading national and international firms, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Alstom, GMR Infrastructure, and Tata Projects, among others.