The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) at Varnama in Vadodara has emerged as a major boost for trade and logistics in Central Gujarat, significantly improving freight movement and strengthening connectivity with key markets across the country.
Spread across 30 villages in Vadodara district, the corridor has increased the average speed of freight trains from 25 kmph to 70 kmph, resulting in faster and more efficient transportation of goods.
One of the most significant benefits has been seen in the dairy sector. The transit time for transporting milk from Mehsana to Delhi has been reduced from 17 hours to just 7 hours, a reduction of nearly 60 per cent. The corridor has also enhanced connectivity with Mumbai and major ports such as Mundra, Pipavav and Kandla, providing exporters with faster access to domestic and international markets.
Currently, 50 to 70 freight trains operate daily on the Vadodara-Mumbai section of the corridor. Railway authorities plan to shift all freight traffic to the dedicated track within the next two to three months. Once completed, the number of freight trains is expected to rise to between 110 and 140 per day, effectively doubling cargo-handling capacity.
The corridor also offers significant cost savings. Freight transportation through the DFC costs less than ₹10 per tonne-kilometre, compared to over ₹40 per tonne-kilometre by air and ₹25-30 per tonne-kilometre by road.
Officials believe the reduction in logistics costs could help lower the prices of essential commodities by ₹6 to ₹10 per tonne, benefiting consumers while improving supply chain efficiency.
The planned diversion of freight trains to the DFC will also free up capacity on conventional railway tracks, allowing for additional passenger train services and faster train operations. Furthermore, the shift is expected to reduce dependence on road transport and contribute to lower carbon emissions, supporting environmentally sustainable logistics.