Modi flags off New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of Eastern Freight Corridor

Says project was envisaged by earlier govts but not implemented on time, causing 11x cost escalation; comes down on those who disrupt movement of trains during protests

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) on Tuesday. This corridor was built at a cost of Rs 5,750 crore, and stretches over 351 km.

 

Opening of the operation control centre at Prayagraj, and flagging-off of the first goods trains from Bhaupur and Khurja stations of the EDFC, were both conducted at the function.

 

Addressing the event, PM Modi said the project was envisaged by earlier governments but not implemented on time. “Approvals for this project initially came in 2006, but implementation was largely on paper and till 2014, less than 1 km was completed,” he said.

 

“This was because the earlier Central government did not coordinate with states for execution. After the formation of the present government in 2014, files for this project were reconstructed. When officials were asked to start work afresh, the budget had increased 11x to more than Rs 45,000 crore,” he said.

 

“A further 1,100 km will be completed in the next few months. These special corridors for carriage trains will ensure passenger trains run on time. They will also ensure that carriage trains run at 3x their current speed and carry twice their present load capacity,” he added.

 

Stating the importance of a dedicated freight corridor, Modi said: “The low speed of freight trains and lack of adequate tracks delay passenger trains, too. This drives up freight logistic costs.”

 

Tata Projects said in a statement that it had built this stretch of the EDFC. “The New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of the EDFC can carry 35 tonnes in axle load, which is much higher than the current 25 tonnes. The new EDFC tracks are built with the ability to run freight trains at a speed of 100 km per hour (current average speed being 25 km per hour),” said the statement.

 

The section will decongest the existing Kanpur-Delhi main line, and enable the Railways to run trains faster, added Tata Projects.

 

Speaking at the event, Modi took a harsh view of those who disrupt movement of trains and damage property during protests, saying these are national assets and their operations must be maintained at all times.

 

“Development of the country’s infrastructure should be kept away from politics... We often see during demonstrations and movements. The railways is often targeted; its service is useful to the country even under difficult circumstances,” said Modi.