Gaya-Shakur Basti Special makes history as India’s first passenger train to run on Dedicated Freight Corridor
Indian Railways Dedicated Freight Corridor Passenger Train: The DFC, primarily developed to boost freight transportation and enhance logistics efficiency, has now been utilized for this unique operational move.
Written by Anish MondalUpdated: October 30, 2025 04:15 PM IST
3 min read
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Last week, the Ministry of Railways permitted the movement of passenger trains on the DFC route. (Image: North Central Railway)
Dedicated Freight Corridor Passenger Train: Indian Railways (IR) has entered a new era of passenger train operations with the successful run of an unreserved Puja Special train on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network. Last week, the Ministry of Railways permitted the movement of passenger trains on the DFC route.
Following the approval, the national transporter has been operating empty passenger trains on the DFC network. However, during the intervening night of October 29 and 30, for the first time, Indian Railways operated a train carrying passengers on the corridor.
The DFC, primarily developed to boost freight transportation and enhance logistics efficiency, has now been utilized for this unique operational move.
India’s first passenger train to run on DFC network
The Gaya–Shakur Basti Unreserved Puja Special (Train No. 03641) has become the first festival special train of Indian Railways to operate on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) route. The initiative aims to provide faster and more seamless connectivity.
Gaya–Shakur Basti Special becomes India’s first passenger train to run on Dedicated Freight Corridor
Speaking to IndianExpress.com, a senior railway official said it was a welcome move for passengers during the festive season. “It is a good decision during festive season,” the official added.
The national transporter permitted the coaching rake movement to enable the operation of a larger number of passenger and express trains during the ongoing festive season. The move will greatly benefit passengers returning from their hometowns after the Chhath Puja festival.
Dedicated Freight Corridors in India
The railways is constructing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) viz. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1337 Km) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri (1506 Km).
Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read More