New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS): A total of 53 goods trains operated on the newly constructed 351-km long New Bhaupur-New Khurja Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and the freight trains attained "game changing" top speed of more than 90 kmph, officials said on Monday.
In a statement, a Railway Ministry spokesperson said that faster speed would result in faster delivery of goods and faster turnaround reducing freight costs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Khurja-Bhaupur section of EDFC on December 29 last year.
The official said that the EDFC is meeting the objectives as the new section is witnessing seamless transportation of major freight commodities.
"So far, 53 freight trains have been operated on this new section till January 3," he said.
The official said that 32 freight trains operated from New Khurja to New Bhaupur with best speed of 93.70 kmph, while 21 freight trains operated between New Bhaupur to New Khurja achieving top speed of 85.98 kmph.
The official further said that after the commissioning of this new section, coal, jute, petroleum, container, iron and steel and other minerals are primary commodities moving towards Delhi-National Capital Region and Punjab and Haryana area whereas rice, wheat and food grain products from Punjab and Haryana area, fertilizer, steel, coal loadable empty wagons etc are moving towards eastern India.
The Dedicated Freight Corridor is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the government, entailing a cost of around Rs 81,459 crore.
The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has been set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle to plan, develop, mobilise financial resources, construct, maintain and operate the EDFC.
In the first phase, the organisation will construct the Western DFC (1,504 route km) and Eastern DFC (1,856 route km), a total of 3,360 route km.