Mumbai: In a significant milestone for India’s freight infrastructure, the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has successfully completed the trial run of freight trains on the final stretch of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), marking the corridor’s full operational readiness on March 31, 2026.

The trial was conducted on the JNPT–New Saphale (Vaitarna) section, covering the last 102 km balance portion of the WDFC. During the exercise, a container train in the down direction (JNPT to New Saphale) was hauled by an electric locomotive, while a corresponding up-direction train (New Saphale to JNPT) was operated using a diesel locomotive. Both trains departed simultaneously at 11:50 am, demonstrating synchronized operational capability.

The trial run signals that the high-capacity, double-line electrified corridor is ready for seamless freight operations. The newly commissioned section features advanced infrastructure designed to support faster, heavier, and more efficient movement of goods.

Senior officials, including Director (Operations & Business Development) Shobhit Bhatnagar, Director (Infrastructure) Anurag Sharma, and other key project and technical heads, were present during the trial, along with the DFCCIL team.

With the completion of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and its seamless connectivity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India’s largest container port, the development is expected to significantly enhance port connectivity, streamline supply chains, and promote greener freight transport. DeshGujarat