Question : Dedicated Freight Corridors

(a) the present status and the time by which the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are likely to be completed;

(b) whether the Government plans to lay three new dedicated freight corridors for faster movement of raw materials and industrial produce across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is planning to involve private sector in the construction of these corridors and if so, whether the Government has evolved any mechanism in this regard;

(d) whether DFCCIL has invited bids for survey of these three corridors and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by which the work on these three corridors will start and be completed and the financial allocation for these three projects?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Ministry of Railways is implementing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) viz. Eastern DFC (Ludhiana-Sonnagar, 1318 kms.) and Western DFC (Dadri to Jawaharlal Port Terminal, 1504 Kms.). In Eastern DFC, overall physical progress is 67.41% and financial progress is 64.41%. Sonnagar-Dankuni section of Eastern DFC (538 kms.) is being undertaken through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode and documents for invitation of bid are under approval. In Western DFC, overall physical progress is 68% and financial progress is 64%. Both the corridors are targeted to be commissioned in phases by June 2022.

(b): The Ministry of Railways is preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) of following three Dedicated Freight Corridors to assess their viability:-
(i) East Coast Corridor – Kharagpur - Vijaywada- Length 1115 Kms.

(ii) East-West sub Corridor
(a) Bhusawal-Wardha-Nagpur-Rajkharswan-Kharagpur-Uluberia- Dankuni - Length-1673 Kms.
(b) Rajkharswan-Kalipahari-Andal- 195 Kms.

(iii) North South Sub Corridor - Vijaywada-Nagpur-Itarsi – Length - 975 Kms.
(c): The framework of execution of projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is already in place. However, the implementation of these projects depends on the outcome of DPR including technical & financial viability.
(d): The Request for Proposal (RFPs) through E-Tendering notices for Consultancy Services for the preparation of the DPRs have been issued.
(e): These projects are at the stage of DPR preparation. Sanction of work of a particular corridor depends on the outcome of DPR including technical & financial viability and availability of funds.
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