New Delhi, February 12 Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India and the Railway Board to expedite the implementation of the newly announced freight corridor between Dankuni in West Bengal and Surat in Gujarat.
"Indian Railways has initiated fast-track action for the expeditious implementation of the newly announced Dankuni-Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, as announced in the Union Budget 2026," the Railway Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
"Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to execute this strategically important freight corridor within a specified timeframe," it added.
The proposed dedicated freight corridor is approximately 2,100 kilometers long and will traverse West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Officials stated that it will significantly improve freight movement between eastern and western India, make logistics faster and more efficient, reduce travel time for goods trains, and alleviate congestion on existing railway routes.
"Officials of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited have been asked to immediately formalize optimal technical standards incorporating the latest advancements in freight logistics," the statement said.
"Key features under consideration include high-capacity electrification systems, no level crossings, and advanced signalling systems such as Kavach to ensure enhanced safety and higher throughput," it added.
According to the ministry, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Dankuni-Surat corridor will be updated with the latest cost estimates and revised timelines.
The updated DPR will ensure better planning, budgeting, and timely execution of the corridor, senior railway officials associated with the project said.
"The corridor will be divided into suitable areas to enable early and simultaneous implementation. Dedicated core teams for each area will be finalized and stationed in the field to closely monitor progress," a senior official said.
"The Railway Board has directed that all pre-construction activities be comprehensively identified and fast-tracked, with simultaneous initiation of the preparation of contract documents to avoid any delays in project rollout," the statement said.
The statement said that an assessment of optimal manpower requirements for the corridor is underway and the Railway Board will be apprised on a weekly basis regarding the action taken, progress achieved, and assistance required to ensure seamless and expeditious implementation.