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52METRO RAIL NEWS -AUGUST 2025 www.metrorailnews.in Corridor NameSubCorridorRouteLength (km)East Coast Corridor%u2014Kharagpur %u2013 Vijayawada1115East%u2013West CorridorSub-Corridor ABhusawal %u2013 Wardha %u2013 Nagpur %u2013 Rajkharsawan %u2013 Kharagpur %u2013 Uluberia %u2013 Dankuni1673Sub-Corridor BRajkharsawan %u2013 Kalipahari %u2013 Andal195North%u2013South CorridorSub-CorridorVijayawada %u2013 Nagpur %u2013 Itarsi972Administrative Approval for DPR PreparationIn 2022, Indian Railways approved the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) on three routes:%u2022East Coast Corridor%u2022East%u2013West Corridor%u2022North%u2013South CorridorThis responsibility to prepare DPRs for these was formally assigned to the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL).Corridor Alignments as per ApprovalNote: As of now, none of the above-mentioned corridors have received final sanction for implementation.Primary Challenges in the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project1. Development of Advanced Locomotives: At present, the axle load capacity of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited. is designed for 25-ton axle load. However, there is a need to develop the rolling stocks capable of sustaining higher axle loads of 25 tonnes to 32.5 tonnes. These wagons must be structurally stronger to accommodate heavier freight while maintaining safety standards. WAF-12B is the most powerful locomotive currently used by DFCCIL in its operations. It has a power output of 12,000 HP and is designed with an axle load capacity of 22.5 tonnes, which can be upgraded to 25 tonnes. The locomotive is capable of achieving a design speed of 120 kmph. The introduction of high-horsepower locomotives is essential, as they will be required to haul longer and heavier trains at greater speeds.2. Establishment of Multimodal Logistic Parks (MMLPs):To unlock the potential of DFCs, it is imperative to develop the logistics parks along the corridors, which will serve as hubs for freight consolidation, distribution, and multimodal transfers. These parks must be equipped to handle intermodal connectivity (rail-road-port-air), warehousing, customs clearance, and allied services such as container handling. Without these facilities, the benefits of faster and more efficient freight movement could remain underutilised. The government has sanctioned the establishment of 35 locations for the development of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks across India. Among the approved locations, five Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) located in Jogighopa, Chennai, Bengaluru, Nagpur, and Indore are currently under development. These facilities are anticipated to become operational in the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.Impact of Dedicated Freight Corridors on India%u2019s Logistics SectorReduction in Logistics Cost: The logistics costs in India have been substantially high due to the predominance of road transport within the sector. However, the establishment of DFCs will increase the railways%u2019 share in freight transportation, which is comparatively more economical than road transport. This transition is anticipated to reduce overall freight and ARTICLE