Ever wondered, why despite being world’s fastest growing economy, India is currently facing a massive unemployment challenge?
One possible reason is that the Indian economic growth has been a Jobless growth due to poor exports capacity of the country. Indian economy is growing due to larger consumer market, but it is nearly impossible to meet the current needs of jobs without making India a manufacturing hub. To boost up manufacturing in India, under eleventh five-year plan (2007-2012), two dedicated freight corridors (Eastern dedicated freight corridors and Western freight corridors) were planned and cleared.
For the readers, who don’t know what is a dedicated freight corridor? Normally we have common tracks which bear the loads of both passenger’s trains and freight trains. Due to this, the transit time is affected for both the trains and the track life is also compromised. Whereas In a dedicated freight corridor, only freight train would run. Since there is a sperate route for it, there will be less congestion. And, when there is less congestion, the goods would reach on time.
Is there any difference between normal freight trains and freight trains in DFC (Dedicated Freight Corridor)?
Yes, freight trains in DFC will be made of state of the art technologies. Normally, the average speed of freight trains is 25 Km/h whereas in DFC average speed is going to be 75 Km/h. A normal freight train can load the 5000 tonnes of goods whereas in DFC the freight capacity of the train would be 13000 tonnes. Freight trains in DFC will be twice the length of normal freight trains. Also, it is said that the DFC Freight trains are likely to be double stacked.
How EDFC and WFDC can change the India’s growth from Jobless growth to Jobs generating growth?
The total length of EDFC (Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors) and WDFC (Western Dedicated Freight Corridor) is 3400 Kms. EDFC will connect Dadri to Mumbai whereas in WDFC will connect Ludhiana, Punjab to Dankuni, West Bengal. Due to these corridors, Indian companies around these regions will be able to sell its product in other countries easily. When the demand of products is increased, the Indian exports will automatically boost up. When the export value of a country is increased, the requirement of manufacturing plants is also likely to increase. Due to which, number of Jobs will be generated in the country. Eventually, it can pull many people from poverty.
When it is going to be functional?
Although, both the projects are expected to be completed by April 2020. But, as per the officials of Indian railway board, Prime Minister Modi can announce the first functional WFDC of 130 Kms on 15th August 2018.
Image Credit: DFCCIL
Author:
Name: Ranjesh Kumar
Company: Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation
