Palwal (Haryana) [India], March 30 (HBTV): In a significant boost to India's freight and logistics infrastructure, the first double-stack container train was flagged off on Tuesday from Hind Terminals Logistics Park in Palwal by Ashok Kumar Verma, General Manager of Northern Railway, and Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL).

Senior officials from Northern Railway, DFCCIL, and representatives from Hind Terminals Pvt Ltd were also present, highlighting the collaboration between the rail sector and private logistics partners.

This milestone marks progress in enhancing freight movement on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and supports the government’s vision for a modal shift in freight transportation. The Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Hind Terminals Logistics Park, Palwal, will now offer competitive door-to-door pricing for exporters and importers in the region who currently rely on road transport.

By increasing the railways' share in freight movement, the initiative aims to facilitate the efficient transportation of essential commodities, including food grains, perishables, industrial goods, and MSME products. The expanded rail logistics capacity is expected to boost industrial activity and economic growth in the region.

Ahead of the flagging-off ceremony, Praveen Kumar conducted a comprehensive window-trailing inspection from New Dadri to New Prithla to assess the operational efficiency of freight movement and the critical infrastructure of the DFC.

Additionally, Praveen Kumar, in the presence of Shobhit Bhatnagar, led a business development meeting with DFCCIL officials and key stakeholders. The discussions focused on fostering innovation, optimizing freight operations, and attracting more business to the DFC, reinforcing its role in India's logistics sector.

The commissioning of this double-stack container train marks a crucial step in modernizing freight transport and underscores Indian Railways and DFCCIL's commitment to efficient and sustainable logistics solutions.

Of the 2,843 km-long DFC network, more than 96 per cent, or 2,741 km, has already been completed and commissioned. The 1,337 km-long Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is fully commissioned, connecting New Sahnewal in Punjab with Sonnagar in Bihar.

The 1,506 km-long Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) runs from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai in Maharashtra, facilitating the movement of cement, containers, perishables, and other goods. This corridor is designed for high-speed, long-haul, and double-stack container trains, improving efficiency.

The DFC network is revolutionizing freight transportation in India, increasing railways' share in national freight movement, enhancing logistics, driving industrial development, and generating employment. Despite constituting just 4 per cent of Indian Railways’ total network, the DFC currently handles more than 14 per cent of its freight capacity, with continued growth expected.

(ANI)