DFCC to commission its first 56 km stretch in Bihar.

The government recently announced the first 56-km stretch of the much-awaited Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project would be commissioned in Bihar in March next year. The announcement comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls.

The stretch between Durgawati and Sasaram will be completed and commissioned by the end of the current financial year, Adesh Sharma, managing director of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation (DFCC) implementing the ambitious project told reporters.

'Currently, the technology and safety clearances are being tied up for the stretch. The double line section will be commissioned with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. This is funded by Indian Railways' equity,' said Sharma. The stretch on the Eastern arm of the project would divert largely coal freight from existing rail network.

Sharma said DFCC would gradually eliminate all the 18 level crossings on the 56-km stretch by building road overbridges and road underbridges. The section is being constructed with an average investment of Rs. 20 crore per km, Sharma said, highlighting the achievements on the progress of the project.

BS