Currently passenger trains get preference over the movement of freight trains on the busy tracks across the country which causes delay and uncertainty over the time schedule for delivery of goods.
Goods trains are kept in loop lines to allow passenger trains to pass as most of the trunk lines face congestion, said Adesh Sharma, Managing Director of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation (DFCC).
DFCC is a Special Purpose Vehicle set up by railways to undertake planning and construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors in the country. Currently DFCC is involved in construction of two corridors – the Western DFC (1504 km) and Eastern DFC (1856 km)- spanning a total length of about 3,360 km.
The railways used to carry about 80 per cent of total goods transported in the country but over time its share got reduced to 36 per cent, with the rest shifting to roads.
“Once the two corridors, which are being constructed for exclusive movement of goods trains, are operational then we will be able to shift goods transportation from the roads to rails as we will come out with a Time Table for freight operation,” Sharma said.
The DFC is expected to be commissioned in phases from 2025-18 to 2025-20 and a small section of 56 km in Bihar in the Eastern Corridor is expected to be opened to traffic in the current fiscal.
The movement of goods will be faster and we will ensure the goods reach within 20 hours from Delhi to Mumbai or Kolkata, once the two corridors become fully operational, he said.
The Eastern Corridor, starting from Dankuni in West Bengal, will pass through the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to terminate at Ludhiana in Punjab.
The Western Corridor connecting Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), will traverse through the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Besides the time table, Sharma said a series of steps is being worked out to attract the loadings on the DFC.
While the speed of goods train will go up to 100 km per hour as against the current speed of 25 km per hour, frequency of freight movement will also increase significantly.
As per the plan, DFC stations will be equipped with modern systems and loco drivers will have Mobile Radio Train Communication System for constant communication with control room.
The DFC network would attract setting up of Multimodal Logistics Parks along the corridor to facilitate value addition including packaging, retailing, labeling and transportation.
Here’s an updated overview of Indian Railways’ initiative to introduce a dedicated timetable for goods (freight) trains, aimed at improving efficiency across the network:
🚚 Why a Freight Train Timetable?
- Traditionally, passenger trains are prioritized, leading to frequent detentions and unpredictability for freight services.
- Indian Railways and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) announced plans to create a fixed schedule for freight trains, matching the predictability enjoyed by passenger operations
- This is part of a broader effort to increase freight share, reduce logistical costs, and enhance delivery timelines—envisioned speeds of up to 100 km/h on Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), compared to the current average of ~25 km/h
📅 Status & Progress as of 2025
- The concept emerged around 2025–2025 and is tied closely to the commissioning of Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)
- By early 2025, the Eastern DFC was fully operational, and the Western corridor reached ~85–90% functionality, running ~391 freight trains daily—209 on Eastern and 182 on Western routes
- With DFC operations scaling up, a structured goods train timetable is expected to follow, enabling time-bound logistics from hubs like Delhi to Mumbai or Kolkata within ~20 hours
🧭 What This Means for Freight Operations
- Predictable Scheduling: Freight trains will run according to a published schedule, reducing slot uncertainties and delays caused by passenger traffic.
- Faster Transit: With dedicated tracks and improved infrastructure, freight speeds may increase significantly—up to 100 km/h.
- Value-Add Logistics: DFC stations will integrate with Multimodal Logistics Parks, offering services like packaging and labeling to support efficient rail-based cargo movement
📌 Current Limitations & Timeline
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Concept announced | Around 2025 |
| Linked to DFC commissioning | Ongoing since 2025–2025 |
| Partial operations on corridors | Western/Eastern ~90% by early 2025 |
| Dedicated timetable rollout | Still pending full DFC operations |
| Expected impact | Faster trip times, higher freight share, logistics parks |
- The actual timetable rollout remains contingent on 100% DFC operations and associated infrastructure readiness—projected in phased manner through 2025–26.
- Until then, freight schedules remain largely ad hoc, with trains often looped or kept waiting to prioritize passenger services.
✳️ Conclusion
Indian Railways has laid out the blueprint for a structured goods train timetable to transform freight operations: higher speeds, better predictability, and modal shift away from roads. The foundation is tied to the completion of Dedicated Freight Corridors, and while operations are now robust, a formal timetable is still being phased in as infrastructure becomes fully functional.
Would you like insights into how these changes might impact logistics routes near Ranchi or projections around freight capacity after full timetable adoption?