The railway ministry plans to expedite work on the eastern dedicated freight corridor project and plans to use contiguous rail land in developing an eastern industrial corridor. The western dedicated freight corridor project already entails an adjacent industrial corridor in form of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor that comprises of industrial hubs, rail port connectivity, logistic parks and mega power plants to be executed in public private partnership mode.

“I visualise an eastern industrial corridor developing alongside the eastern dedicated freight corridor, similar to the Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor. I propose to put railways land banks to productive use. This will also avoid increase in cost and will help in early start of industrial projects,” said railway minister Mamata Banerjee.

“In order to catalyse industrial development in this corridor I have included investments in rolling stock production and assembly facilities and coach rehabilitation at Dankuni, Majerhat and Naopara in this region. These will lay the foundation for a rail based industrial cluster in the Eastern Industrial corridor, drawing upon inherent advantages of proximity to coal and ore mines, large strength of labour force and India’s largest metal works market,” said Banerjee.

She further added that she has asked for the final location survey from Sonenagar to Dankuni to be expedited and talks are on with Calcutta Port and ministry of shipping for extending the DFC till the Kolkata port.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFC), a special purpose vehicle set up under the administrative control of ministry of railways to undertake planning and development, mobilisation of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of the DFC has been asked to expedite submission of detailed cost estimates and business plan, she apprised. To expedite the project execution on the eastern DFC in a time-bound and cost effective manner, an expert committee is being planned who will look into all aspects and develop a robust business plan.

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