Prayagraj: Mr Naresh Pal Singh, General Manager (GM), North Central Railway (NCR), conducted an inspection of the Operations Control Centre (OCC) of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) at Prayagraj on Tuesday. This marked his first inspection of DFCCIL after assuming charge as GM, NCR.
The visit assumes significance in the backdrop of new connectivity works between NCR and DFCCIL and the broader objective of shifting all Indian Railways freight trains to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC).
Focus on New Connectivity Works and Freight Diversion to EDFC
The inspection was undertaken keeping in view several new connectivity projects between NCR and DFCCIL, including:
- Chunar–New Dagmagpur
- Bhimsen–New Bhimsen
- Ekdil–New Ekdil
- Makkhanpur–New Makkhanpur
- Tundla–New Tundla
These works aim to strengthen integration and facilitate the complete shifting of freight traffic from conventional railway routes to the EDFC, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing congestion.
In addition, approval has been granted in Union Budget 2026 for undertaking the Final Location Survey (FLS) for a new corridor under the proposed Dankuni–Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, further strengthening India’s freight infrastructure.
Review of OCC Technologies and Safety Systems
During the inspection, the General Manager interacted with control officials and reviewed the advanced technologies deployed at the OCC. He appreciated the overall functioning of the control systems and expressed satisfaction with the performance of:
- Machine Vision Inspection System
- Hot Axle Box Detector (HABD) System
These technologies play a crucial role in early detection of faults, enhancing safety, and ensuring uninterrupted freight movement.
Directive to Use AI for Crew Booking
In a major operational directive, Shri Naresh Pal Singh called for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crew booking systems to streamline operations, optimize manpower deployment, and enhance efficiency.
He instructed all departments to work in close coordination to minimize asset failures and ensure smooth train operations. Noting that the EDFC is currently operating at maximum capacity, he emphasized the need for proactive planning to manage increasing freight traffic.
He also advised close coordination with adjoining railway zones – East Central Railway (ECR), North Central Railway (NCR), and Northern Railway (NR) – to eliminate operational bottlenecks and improve interchange efficiency.
Record Freight Operations During Magh Mela
Highlighting recent achievements, the General Manager noted that during the Magh Mela period in January 2026, an average of 455 trains were operated daily.
He appreciated the record freight operations on EDFC, including:
- 101 up-direction freight trains from New Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction on 29.01.2026
- 94 down-direction freight trains from New Kanpur on 08.02.2026
These figures underline the growing importance of EDFC in handling high-volume freight traffic.
Infrastructure Augmentation and Capacity Expansion
With an anticipated increase in trains from Northern Railway, NCR, and ECR, the General Manager advised:
- Increasing the number of longer loops on EDFC to handle longer freight trains.
- Reconsidering doubling of single-line connections to avoid interchange detention.
- Finalizing the scope of ongoing works on priority.
He also issued timelines for key crew facilities:
- Commissioning of the air-conditioned running room at New Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction within the current month.
- Completion of the air-conditioned running room at New Khurja by June 2026.
- Expansion of capacity at the air-conditioned running room at New Kanpur Junction.
These facilities will provide improved rest and recreational amenities for loco pilots and train managers, contributing to operational safety and staff welfare.
EDFC Boosting Coaching Train Punctuality
The General Manager appreciated the improved punctuality of coaching trains on Indian Railways and acknowledged the contribution of EDFC in achieving this milestone.
He observed that the diversion of freight trains to EDFC has significantly decongested traditional routes, enabling smoother operation and better punctuality of passenger services.
Assures Full Support for Future Growth
In his concluding remarks, Shri Naresh Pal Singh stated that freight traffic on EDFC is expected to rise further in the coming months. He assured full support from NCR in achieving new operational milestones and strengthening freight infrastructure.
Senior Officials Present During Inspection
The inspection was attended by senior officials from NCR Headquarters and DFCCIL, including:
- Shri Sharat Chandrayan, Principal Chief Operations Manager, NCR
- Shri Akhil Shukla, Secretary to GM
- Shri A. B. Saran, Chief General Manager, Prayagraj
- Shri Ashish Mishra, General Manager (Safety)
- Shri Mannu Prakash Dubey, GM (Operations & Business Development), EDFC
- Shri Manuj Saraswat, Deputy Chief Project Manager (Civil)
- Shri Prakash Chandra, Project Manager (S&T)
- Shri Rajnath, Deputy Project Manager (Electrical)
- Shri Brajesh Smith, Deputy Project Manager (Operations & Business Development)
- Other DFCCIL officials
