Gujarat is set to see faster and more environmentally friendly cargo movement with the announcement of a new dedicated freight corridor (DFC) linking Surat with Dankuni in West Bengal.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the project during her Budget 2026–27 speech in the Lok Sabha on Sunday.
The proposed Surat–Dankuni corridor is expected to emerge as a key freight route, enabling quicker movement of goods from eastern India’s mineral-rich regions to Gujarat’s industrial centres and ports. Surat, a major hub for textiles and diamonds, is likely to benefit significantly from improved cargo connectivity.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel welcomed the announcement, saying the project would strengthen logistics support for trade, industry, and manufacturing in the state.
Ved Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ahmedabad Division, said the new corridor would improve rail logistics in Gujarat while reducing pressure on congested passenger routes.
The Budget also highlighted the Centre’s focus on expanding high-speed passenger rail. With the Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train already under construction, Gujarat continues to play a central role in India’s high-speed rail plans.
Seven new high-speed rail corridors were announced, including Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri. These routes are expected to significantly cut travel time and promote sustainable transport.
Officials said the Surat–Dankuni freight corridor could span 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres, passing through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. By shifting freight traffic away from passenger lines, the project aims to reduce transit time, increase rail capacity and lower logistics costs.
India currently operates two major freight corridors—the Eastern DFC from Ludhiana to Dankuni and the Western DFC from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The new corridor will further expand the freight network and support balanced regional development.