CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 26
COVER STORY : GREEN LOGISTICS
Dedicated Freight Corridors: A GameChanger for Logistics
RAJESH SRIVASTAVA
General Manager– NPR –
Indirect Procurement,
Lupin
ESG needs to be ingrained
in every aspect of an organisation’s operations. From a
logistics perspective, let’s focus on the ‘S’—sustainability. For example, are we sourcing materials
sustainably? In cold chain logistics, companies
often send large consignments, such as 25 kg or
50 kg shipments. Could logistics partners innovate
by developing smaller, more efficient containers?
For instance, if multiple companies have cold chain
shipments with similar delivery dates, could LSPs
consolidate those shipments to reduce carbon
footprints?
Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of Dedicated
Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL), in
an interview with The Financial Express, highlights the
transformative impact of the Dedicated Freight Corridors
(DFCs). “The western DFC’s last leg, a 102-kilometre
stretch from Vaitarna to JNPT, is progressing rapidly.
Land-related issues have been resolved, and we expect
to commission the remaining portion by December
2025. A 33-kilometre section from Kharbao to Vaitarna
will be operational by June, shifting trains from Indian
Railways to our network,” he says.
Kumar emphasised the e昀케ciency of DFCs compared
to traditional rail networks. “Our trains can run at a
maximum speed of 100 kmph, with an average speed
of 55-60 kmph. Once the last section is commissioned,
we aim for an average speed of 75 kmph, a massive
jump from Indian Railways’ 18-20 kmph,” he adds.
The western corridor, primarily for container
traffic, will significantly reduce road congestion by
shifting freight to rail. “DFC’s double-stack capacity
and long-haul capabilities make it far more e昀케cient.
Our JNPT yard is designed for long-haul operations, and
we expect train numbers to rise from 417 to 430-440
daily,” Kumar explains.
Reducing Logistics Costs and Carbon Emissions
GOWRI SHANKAR G
General Manager– Operations,
JW Ventures
JWL focusses on cold chain
logistics for pharmaceuticals,
offering end-to-end solutions
including transportation,
temperature-controlled storage, and value-added
services like QR printing and tracking. Our facilities
in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, are IMS, FDA and
AEO certified, as well as GDP compliant, ensuring
the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Sustainability is at our core—our facilities harvest
solar and rainwater to reduce carbon footprints.
We also operate a hydroponic garden near Mumbai,
where organic produce is processed and supplied
to our third-party food logistics arm.
26 | CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2025
Kumar underscores the broader economic and environmental bene昀椀ts of DFCs. “The fundamental idea is
to reduce India’s logistics costs, which are high due to
road dependence. By encouraging multimodal logistics
through policies like GatiShakti, we aim to attract big
vendors to shift from road to rail. Railways currently
handle 26% of freight, compared to 45% by roads.
Despite being just 4% of Indian Railways’ network,
DFCs carry 13-14% of total rail freight,” he asserts.
Innovative models like roll-on and roll-o昀昀 services,
where trucks are carried on railway wagons, are already
operational. “Amul uses this service between New
Palanpur and New Rewari. We’ve also partnered with
Amazon for small cargo transport from Sanand to
Rewari,” Kumar shares.
