Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated the 306-km New Rewari-New Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) to the nation. Through videoconferencing, Modi also flagged off the world's first double-stack, long-haul 1.5km-long container train hauled by electric traction from New Ateli to New Kishangarh.
On this occasion, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were also present.
The New Rewari-New Madar section of the WDFC is situated in Haryana—approximately 79km in Mahendragarh and Rewari districts—and in Rajasthan—approximately 227 km in Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Nagaur and Alwar districts.
Speaking at the event, Modi said, "This dedicated freight corridor is being looked at as a game changer for India in the next decade. After a lot of hard work in the last 5-6 years, it has come to fruition. India needs 3X (three times) speed for development on all fronts."
Emphasising the opportunities created by the new freight corridor, Modi said, "Today has brought new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, traders of NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan. Dedicated Freight Corridors, whether eastern or western, are not just modern routes for goods trains. These are the corridors of rapid development of the country."
Modi declared modernisation of infrastructure in India was going on "two tracks simultaneously". "One track is advancing the development of the individual and on the other track the growth engine of the country is getting new energy," Modi said.
"In the last 6 years, the investment done on widening of the rail network is unprecedented. This has widened the ambit of Indian Railways and increased the speed of our trains," Modi emphasised.