- Definition: Largest rail infrastructure project being built in independent India.
- Ministry of Railways established DFCCIL (SPV) for planning, development, operation.
- Significance for India:
- DFCCIL will own and operate assets; Ministry of Railway will run trains and pay access charge.
- Centralized control of operations, double stacking containers.
- Expected to halve operation and maintenance cost compared to present IR network.
- Freight trains will run at higher speeds (100 km/hr max, 70 kmph average).
- 70% of goods trains will shift to DFC, decongesting existing tracks for passenger trains.
- Planned multimodal logistics parks along corridors for complete transport solutions.
- Crucial for economic development and “Make in India”.