DFCCIL and Northern Railway conducted a high-level joint inspection of the New Dadri–Rewari–Ateli section to review operations, infrastructure readiness, and future connectivity. The exercise reinforced inter-agency coordination to enable seamless, safe, and efficient freight movement across India’s Dedicated Freight Corridor network.

Introduction:

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) and Northern Railway carried out a joint inspection of the strategic New Dadri–Rewari–Ateli section of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), marking another critical step in aligning infrastructure, operations, and future connectivity for high-capacity freight movement. The initiative underscores the commitment of both organisations to build an integrated, efficient logistics backbone for the country.

The inspection reflects a proactive approach toward synchronising new-generation freight infrastructure with the existing rail network. This coordination is essential for maximising the throughput benefits of the DFC, ensuring operational continuity, and supporting India’s ambition to lower logistics costs through rail-based freight expansion.

High-Level Delegation Reviews Strategic Corridor:

The inspection was led by a senior delegation, reflecting the operational and strategic importance of this corridor segment. The team was headed by Shri Shobhit Bhatnagar, Director (OP&BD), DFCCIL, and Dr. Monica Agnihotri, Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM), Northern Railway.

Other key officials included Shri Nitin Bansal, GGM (OP&BD), DFCCIL; Shri A.K. Shamsi, CFTM, Northern Railway; Shri Vikas Vats, Sr. DOM, Delhi Division/NR; Shri C.L. Choudhary, Manager (OP&BD), DFCCIL Jaipur Unit; Shri V. Chaturvedi, Manager (OP), DFCCIL Corporate Office; and senior traffic and operations officers from Northern Railway headquarters and planning units. Their collective presence highlighted the importance of unified operational planning and decision-making across institutional boundaries.

Comprehensive Infrastructure and Operations Review:

The joint team undertook a detailed review of both infrastructure assets and operational systems along the route. The inspection covered multiple critical locations and assets to ensure readiness for seamless freight operations and future scalability.

Key areas reviewed during the inspection included:

Future Connectivity and Network Expansion Planning:

A significant aspect of the inspection was the forward-looking evaluation of future connectivity options. The delegation reviewed the potential for linking the corridor with the Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation network, alongside integration points with both the Dedicated Freight Corridor and the conventional Northern Railway network.

This alignment is expected to enhance last-mile connectivity, decongest high-traffic passenger routes, and provide logistics players with more routing flexibility. It also strengthens the corridor’s role as a backbone for industrial growth across Haryana, Rajasthan, and the National Capital Region.

Operational Harmonisation and Institutional Coordination:

The joint exercise also focused on operational harmonisation between DFCCIL and Northern Railway. This included reviewing traffic management protocols, crew deployment coordination, asset maintenance interfaces, and emergency response mechanisms.

Officials highlighted that such coordinated inspections are critical to unlocking the full potential of the DFC infrastructure. By synchronising standards, procedures, and long-term planning between institutions, the rail freight ecosystem can deliver higher reliability, better asset utilisation, and faster turnaround times for cargo operators.

Strategic Importance of the New Dadri–Rewari–Ateli Section:

The New Dadri–Rewari–Ateli section is a vital link within the broader western freight corridor network, connecting key industrial and logistics hubs. Strengthening its operational readiness and future integration capacity will play a pivotal role in supporting India’s growing freight demand, reducing logistics costs, and enabling a modal shift from road to rail.

Conclusion:

The joint DFCCIL–Northern Railway inspection reaffirmed strong inter-institutional coordination to deliver safe, seamless, and efficient freight movement. By aligning infrastructure readiness, operational systems, and future connectivity planning, the New Dadri–Rewari–Ateli section is positioned to become a high-impact logistics artery supporting India’s long-term freight growth strategy.

Source: DFCCIL | Image Credit: DFCCIL

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