The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), stretching 1,506 kilometres, is on track for completion by December 2025. As per the latest data, 96.4% of the freight corridor is operational, with 93.2% of the project completed, including crucial feeder routes connecting various cement plants and major ports like Mundra, Kandla, Pipavav, and Hazira in Gujarat.
The WDFC, linking Khurja to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra, is projected to cost ₹72,000 crore upon completion. An official from the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) expressed optimism, stating, “Just 100 kilometres of the WDFC remains for completion,” and reaffirmed the target of December 2025 for finalisation. The total cost of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) has surged to ₹1.24 lakh crore, a significant increase from the initially sanctioned ₹82,000 crore. Addressing concerns over the inflated costs, a senior DFCCIL official cited the escalation in land acquisition expenses, which have risen to ₹20,000 crore from the initial estimate of ₹8,000 crore.
The operationalisation of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor has already yielded substantial benefits, reducing coal transit time from the coalfields of Eastern India to the power plants of Northern India by 30-40%. This efficiency has significantly lowered inventory costs for power plants. Similarly, the WDFC is expected to enhance freight movement efficiency dramatically. According to DFCCIL, the freight transit time between Western Indian ports and North India has been reduced by nearly 50% with the running of trains over the WDFC. This corridor has also facilitated the expedited transport of perishable commodities, such as milk, from the dairies of Gujarat to the National Capital Region (NCR), ensuring fresher deliveries and reduced spoilage.
The WDFC’s completion is poised to catalyse significant economic benefits, enhancing connectivity and reducing transportation costs for goods. The project’s progress underscores the Indian government’s commitment to bolstering infrastructure and streamlining logistics to support economic growth. With the final leg of the corridor’s construction underway, the DFCCIL remains focused on overcoming remaining challenges and achieving timely completion. The anticipated operationalisation of the WDFC by the end of 2025 marks a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development, promising enhanced efficiency and connectivity for the nation’s freight transport system.
