In a first, Indian Railways successfully operated eight freight trains as four long-haul trains in a single day, enhancing both time and crew efficiency, officials announced on Monday. The initiative, termed “long-haul operation,” aims to boost freight transportation efficiency and address crew shortages.
Shashi Kant Tripathi, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Central Railway, explained that the process involved joining two freight trains, each consisting of 58 wagons and engines, to form one long train. In total, four long-haul trains were created using eight freight trains and operated on the same day.
The operation took place on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), between Dadri and Deen Dayal Upadhyay station, a key route for transporting goods across the country. Notably, each long-haul train required only one crew team, consisting of a loco pilot, an assistant loco pilot, and a guard, allowing four crews to manage eight trains in total.
Tripathi noted that while previous trials with long-haul operations had taken place, they had only managed to run one or two formations per day. “This time, the Prayagraj division scaled up the experiment, successfully running all four formations on the same day—a major breakthrough,” he said.
The initiative has been praised by railway officials, with credit given to Divisional Railway Manager Himanshu Badoni, Senior Divisional Operations Manager SK Shukla, and Deputy Chief Transportation Manager of Tundla Amit Sudarshan for leading the project. This development is seen as a potential game-changer for the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India Limited (DFCCIL), significantly improving rail freight operations.
One of the main challenges faced by Indian Railways is a shortage of trained crew. By utilizing long-haul operations, fewer crew members are needed to manage more trains, optimizing manpower. The experiment is also expected to enhance “path optimization,” meaning better use of tracks, reduced delays, and improved overall scheduling.
A DFCCIL spokesperson added that long-haul freight trains could also benefit passenger services by freeing up tracks. “By diverting freight trains to dedicated corridors, we decongest passenger train routes, improving safety and punctuality—especially as we prepare for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, which will increase passenger traffic in the Prayagraj division.”
This successful trial could lead to more widespread use of long-haul operations, offering both logistical and operational advantages for Indian Railways in the future.
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