New Delhi

The entire dedicated freight corridor (DFC) network will be free from level crossings for seamless movement of both rail and road traffic.

Besides with the maximum permissible speed of 100 km per hour, the exclusive freight corridors will be equipped with the modern safety device – train protection warning system (TPWS) – to enhance safety for train operation, at an estimated cost of Rs 1100 crore.

“There will be no level crossings in the entire DFC and total of 1003 level crossings are planned to be eliminated to ensure unhindered movement of traffic,” DFCC Managing Director Aadesh Sharma said here today.

DFC has a total 3342 km long track for goods train movement comprising Eastern and Western corridors.

There will be 689 rail overbridges (ROB) and 314 rail underbridges (RUB) being constructed to eliminate level crossings, he said.

Describing the DFC as “game changer”, Sharma said, “Multi-modal logistic hubs and private freight terminals are expected to come up along the DFC which will help generating jobs and economic growth in the country.

Besides, the proposed Delhi – Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Amristasr-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor will also get benefits from the DFC.”

DFC envisages to transport goods in shortest possible time.

“Our aim is to transport goods to Mumbai within 24 hours from Delhi so that those goods with less shelf life like fruits and vegetables can also be transported.”

On safety, he said, we will be spending Rs 600 crore in the Western Corridor and Rs 500 crore in the Eastern Corridor for installing TPWS to ensure accident-free run for freight trains.

High capacity locomotives of will be pressed into service in the DFC to haul heavily loaded freight trains.

As per plan, 12,000 horse power (HP) locomotives will be operational in the Eastern Corridor and 9000 HP loco will be running on Western DFC.

Once DFC is operational we expect the goods movement on road will be shifted to rail which will result in curbing pollution and decongest the roads, he said.

PTI