DFCCIL and Gujarat Govt discuss key freight infrastructure and logistics development initiatives

Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), met Manoj Kumar Das, Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, in Gandhinagar to discuss key issues related to freight infrastructure development, business expansion and multimodal logistics connectivity in the state.

The meeting focused on strengthening the integration of Gujarat’s industrial and maritime ecosystem with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) and exploring opportunities to improve freight movement, logistics efficiency and multimodal connectivity.

The discussions covered several infrastructure and business development priorities, including the Gujarat Maritime Board port at Maroli in Valsad district, business development activities across the WDFC in Gujarat, land acquisition for Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, multimodal logistics infrastructure at New Timba, New Pardi and Umbergaon, and improved integration of rail, road, ports and industrial centres.

A key agenda item was the Gujarat Maritime Board port at Maroli, with the discussions reflecting the importance of developing stronger rail-port connectivity to support cargo movement between Gujarat’s maritime facilities and industrial corridors. Improved connectivity with Maroli is expected to help create more efficient logistics linkages and support the movement of goods through the state’s expanding maritime and industrial network.

The meeting also reviewed business development activities across the WDFC in Gujarat, with a focus on enhancing freight traffic, attracting new cargo streams, expanding business opportunities along the corridor, improving logistics solutions for industries and businesses, and utilising the dedicated freight corridor’s capacity more effectively.

Another important issue was the progress of land acquisition and infrastructure development for proposed Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals and multimodal logistics facilities at New Timba, New Pardi and Umbergaon. These facilities are expected to strengthen first-mile and last-mile connectivity while enabling smoother integration between railways, roads, ports and industrial centres, creating new opportunities for cargo aggregation, distribution and efficient movement of goods across Gujarat and other regions.

The meeting emphasised the need for close coordination between the Government of Gujarat and DFCCIL to address land and infrastructure-related requirements, with faster resolution of these issues expected to support the development of logistics assets needed by Gujarat’s manufacturing, trade and port sectors.

Gujarat is a major gateway for India’s international trade and has a strong network of ports, industrial clusters and logistics facilities. The continued development of freight infrastructure along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is expected to strengthen the state’s position as a major logistics and supply chain hub, with the latest meeting marking another step towards integrated infrastructure planning and improved freight connectivity across Gujarat.

DFCCIL is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining India’s dedicated freight corridors, aimed at improving freight transportation capacity, reducing transit times and supporting more efficient railway logistics.