Dankuni-Surat DFC: Railways explores alignment to boost east-west freight connectivity

The Indian Railways is investigating the alignment of the Dankuni-Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) to enhance east-west freight connectivity and ease the movement of goods across various regions. The 2,052-km-long corridor was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Currently at the planning stage, discussions are ongoing at the Railway Board.

Dharmendra Tewari, Additional Director General (Public Relations) at the Railway Board, stated that the Railways is examining the alignment to meet transportation requirements and industrial needs. The Gati Shakti Directorate, a specialized unit focused on integrated infrastructure planning, is also assessing the project from a broader connectivity and development perspective.

A key objective is to enhance connections between raw-material sources, processing units, and markets for finished products. The proposed corridor aims to bolster freight movement between industrial hubs in eastern and western India. The Railways is seeking stakeholder input to plan the DFC alignment and understand industrial requirements to identify opportunities for improving connectivity.

The planning process includes examining how rail and road networks can collaborate to support coordinated infrastructure development. The Dankuni-Surat DFC is expected to strengthen links between industrial centers, sources of raw materials, and markets. Industries in eastern India, with significant steel, iron ore, and coal reserves, could benefit from improved freight connectivity to markets and ports in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

In February, the Railway Board directed the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) to expedite the implementation of the Dankuni-Surat DFC. The proposed corridor will traverse six states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Upon completion, it will be segmented into distinct areas for early and simultaneous execution.

The DFC project traces its origins back to 2005, when it was first deliberated in a Japan-India meeting and later included in a joint declaration of cooperation. A feasibility study was conducted in October 2007, leading to the establishment of DFCCIL as a special-purpose vehicle for constructing, operating, and maintaining the freight corridors. Currently, there are two major DFCs: the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), spanning around 2,843 km collectively.