PM flags off 1.5 km double stack container train on WFC’s Rewari-Madar section

14 Jan 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated the 306-km Rewari-Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) to the nation through video conference. He also flagged off the country’s first double stack long haul container train on this route.

Governors Rajasthan and Haryana, Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Haryana and Union Ministers Shri Piyush Goyal, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Shri Kailash Choudhary, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Shri Ratan Lal Kataria, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the `Maha Yagna’ to modernise the country's infrastructure has gained a new momentum with the opening of the freight corridor.

Listing the recent initiatives of the government in modernising the country’s infrastructure, Modi pointed out that over the last 12 days the country witnessed the launch of DBT to farmers, launch of National Mobility Card in Airport Express Line, inauguration of AIIMS Rajkot, IIM Sambalpur, Light House Projects in 6 cities, National Atomic Timescale and Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya, National Environmental Standards Laboratory, Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline, 100th Kisan Rail and the opening of a section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

He added that instead of debilitating the country’s economy, the corona pandemic too has given a new impetus to `Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by expanding the scope of products manufactured within the country.

The Made in India vaccine against corona, approved a few days ago, has instilled a new confidence in the people.

He said the Dedicated Freight Corridor is seen as the game changer project for India in the 21st century. He said since the launch of the New Bhaupur - New Khurja section average speed of the freight train has tripled in that section. The Prime Minister said the Eastern Freight Corridor has also started showing how they are increasing the strength of different parts of the country.

He said with the flag off of the first double stack container freight train from New Ateli in Haryana to New Kishanganj in Rajasthan, India has joined the select nations in the world.

He said the western freight corridor will make farming and allied business in Haryana and Rajasthan easier and also impart new energy into cities like Mahendragarh, Jaipur, Ajmer and Sikar. Faster access to national and international markets have opened for the manufacturing units and entrepreneurs of these states at a much lower cost. Faster and cheaper connectivity to the ports of Gujarat and Maharashtra will boost new investment opportunities in the region.

Elaborating on the benefit of the Dedicated Freight Corridor, the prime minister said, it will cover 133 railway stations in 9 states. These stations will have multi model logistic parks, freight terminals, container depots, container terminals and parcel hubs, all of which will benefit farmers, small industries, cottage industries and larger manufacturers as well, he said.

The 306 km Rewari- Madar section falls in Haryana state (for approx 79 km in Mahendragarh and Rewari districts) and Rajasthan (approx 227 km in Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Nagaur and Alwar districts).

About 40 per cent of WDFC is in Rajasthan while approx 250 km of DFC is in Haryana.

This section contains 16 major bridges and viaduct (1 viaduct and 15 major bridges), 269 minor bridges, 4 rail flyovers, 22 road over bridges and 177 road under bridges eliminating 148 level crossings.

There are 9 newly built DFC stations in this section, six crossing stations (ie, New Dabla, New Bhagega, New Sri Madhopur, New PacharMalikpur, New Sakun and New Kishangarh) and three junction stations (ie, New Rewari, New Ateli and New Phulera).

Total value of contracts, including civil, electrical and S&T is Rs5,800 crore in this section excluding land.

The opening of this stretch will benefit various industries in Rewari – Manesar, Narnaul, Phulera and Kishangarh areas of Rajasthan, Haryana and the National Capital Region.

In addition, the container depot of CONCOR at Kathuwas will also come on the DFC map and get advantage in terms of faster throughput.

The ports of Gujarat like Kandla, Pipavav, Mundhra, Dahejetc will have an uninterrupted connectivity to the Northern parts of India.

The dedication of the 351-km Bhaupur-Khurja section, and construction of connecting link between Khurja - Boraki-Dadri- Rewari will ensure seamless movement between WDFC and EDFC.

DFCCIL had conducted trial-run of Indian Railways freight trains on this section. The Track Recording Car of RDSO had conducted oscillation trials of BOXNS Wagons at 110 Kmph.These wagons have a Tare weight of 19.85 tonnes and a carrying capacity of 80.15 tonnes. These wagons have a 14 per cent more weight carrying capacity than the wagons being currently used on Indian Railways. The DFCCIL infrastructure is well placed to utilise the carrying capacity of these wagons.

Currently, Indian Railways freight trains can carry 61 -71 tonnes weight per freight carriage at an approximate speed of 60 kmph. The newer, advanced wagons can carry weights up to 81 tonnes per wagon at an approximate speed of 100 kmph. The newer wagons are safer and modern too.

Trial runs of BLCS-A and BLCS-B wagon prototype have also been completed in this section. These wagons have enhanced axle load of 25 tonnes and been designed for DFCCIL by RDSO’s wagon department. The design will maximise capacity utilisation and uniform distributed and point loading. These wagons on a long-haul double stack container train on the WDFC will run at a speed of 100 kmph.

DFCCIL will run freight train at the maximum speed of 100 km/per hour as against the current maximum speed of 75 kmph on Indian Railway tracks whereas the average speed of freight trains will also be increased from existing speed of 26 kmph on Indian Railways lines to 70 kmph on Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC).

Main objectives of DFCCIL

·Decongest the existing Indian Railway network.
·Increase the average speed of goods trains from existing 25 to 70 kmph.
·Run Heavy Haul trains (higher axle load of 25/32.5 tonne) and overall load of 13,000 tonnes.
·Facilitate the running of longer (1.5 km-long) and double stack container trains.
·Connect the existing ports and industrial areas for faster movement of goods.
·Energy efficient and environment friendly rail transport system as per global standards.
·Increase the rail share of reight from existing 30 per cent to 45 per cent.
·Reduce the logistic cost of transportation.

The DFCs have double line electric (2 X 25 KV) track to undertake higher haulage at higher speeds, automated New Track Construction (NTC) machine which can lay track at the speed of 1.5 km per day; automated wiring train for Overhead Equipment Work (OHE) capable of wiring up to 3 km per shift; Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) for safe and efficient operation

Besides hauling the world’s first double stack 1.5 km-long container freight trains, the12,000 HP WAG 12 Loco manufactured at Indian Railways at Madhepura, Bihar, are capable of hauling 6,000 tonnes at a top speed of 120 kmph. They are planned to be deployed for operations on major freight routes, including the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), transforming the heavy freight transportation landscape of India.

The double stack 1.5 km long electric train that first ran in DFCCIL’s newly commissioned 7.5 meter high OHE Section, can accommodate 360 ten feet container equivalent units (TEU), which is equivalent to 270 high capacity road trailer trucks.