PTI

New Delhi: The alignment of the first phase work of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor has been finalised with about 20 changes from the original route plan.

“Deviations have been made at a few places to avoid congested areas and railway junctions between Rewari and Vadodara,” said a senior Railways Ministry official.

Changes in the alignment were necessary because heavy settlements were coming on the way along the 917-km long route, said the official.

The route was diverted at many places including Bangugram, Makrena, Mahesana, Palanpur, Marwar and Phurela to avoid heavy displacements.

The total length of the electrified Western Corridor from Rewari to JN Port Trust is 1426 km out of which work will begin between Rewari to Vadodara in the first phase.

The Japan Bank International Corporation (JBIC), which is to fund 85% of the total cost, is currently conducting an environment and social impact study of the first phase project.

The report is likely to be submitted by November and after that a loan agreement will be signed with JBIC, said the official.

The first phase is estimated to cost about Rs 25,000 crore.

The Western corridor will run the double stack container train with highest pantograph (current collection device) in the world.

Indian railways will run the new generation pantograph at 7.5 metre height which will enable double stack container on flat wagons on the electrified route, said the official.

Though double stack containers are running in China but they are not the standard international containers as they run on a lower height. In USA double stack containers run on non-electrified diesel locos.

There was a successful trial run conducted between Daitari and Jakhapura in Orissa to establish a new height for the overhead electrical equipment line so that double stack container can run on electrified line,“ said the official.

The construction of Dedicated Freight Corridor aims to link the ports of western India and the ports and mines of eastern India to Delhi and Punjab.