Truck firms factor in impact of new freight corridor

AS WORK ON the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) moves into its final leg, commercial vehicle makers are expecting an impact on demand for long-haul, heavy-duty cargo trucks.

- SWARAJ BAGGONKAR

The entire 1,506-km rail line of the WDFC is expected to become fully operational by December 2025, facilitating faster and cheaper movement of goods compared to road shipments.

Starting in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, the WDFC is nearing completion with the final 100 km stretch, which will connect the project to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai, under construction. Railway tracks have been laid till Vaitarna in Maharashtra.

Truck fleet owners are expecting lesser interest from large customers in transporting goods using national highways after the completion of the project.