India will start operating a new rail freight transport corridor in the north-east from November 2023, connecting major coal-fired power plants. Construction of the 1,337 km Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) between Punjab and Bihar began in 2020, with completion delayed due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions. During the three-year construction phase, service on certain sections was possible for about 140 freight trains per day, and now the EDFC can accommodate 250 freight trains daily. The total cost of the project is almost €6.6 million (US$7 million).
