JICA-Supported Western Dedicated Freight Corridor Completed, Marking Landmark Milestone in India–Japan Infrastructure Cooperation

Mumbai/Vadodara, 8 September 2026: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), achieved a landmark milestone, with the completion and fully operationalisation of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). The Dedicated Freight Corridor has been developed with financial and technical support from JICA, in collaboration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), the implementing agency under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today dedicated key sections of the completed corridor to the nation from Vadodara, Gujarat.

• New Sanad North – New Makarpura
• New Umbergaon – New Saphale
• New Saphale – New JNPT

The event at Maharashtra location was graced by the presence of Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra; Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Ms. SATO Hitomi, Consul-General, Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai; Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India along with Shri Praveen Kumar, Managing Director, DFCCIL and other dignitaries.

The three sections cover a total length of 326 KM and have been constructed at a cumulative cost of INR 20,703 crore. The completion of the 1,506 KM long Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), now connects Dadri in Uttar Pradesh with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of India’s freight transportation network. This project represents one of the most significant achievements of India–Japan cooperation in large-scale infrastructure development.

JICA has extended cumulative Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans of JPY 620,787 million (INR 37,658 crore) to DFCCIL, supporting India’s efforts to modernise, enhance logistics infrastructure and strengthen connectivity along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

On this occasion, Ms. SATO Hitomi, Consul-General, Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai said, “the inauguration of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor shows another completion of the flagship project of Japan-India cooperation. As a national logistics artery, this high-capacity, fully electrified corridor will accelerate logistics, enhance industrial competitiveness, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and ease congestion on passenger lines. Japan is proud to have participated in this initiative through ODA scheme. JICA and Japanese and Indian companies and experts have shared their knowledge and worked hard to realize the project.”

Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India, shared the following comments: “WDFC is not merely a railway project. It is a story of vision, perseverance, and partnership. When the idea was first proposed, many thought it was too ambitious. Today, it stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through long-term commitment and cooperation. JICA remains fully committed to supporting India's continued development and to further strengthening the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.”

The commissioning of these three sections of the WDFC will provide direct rail connectivity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) through the WDFC network, enabling faster and more efficient cargo movement. The corridor connects key industrial hubs in Palghar, Thane and Raigad in Maharashtra with industrial centres across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, linking them to ports and national markets and supporting regional economic growth. It is also expected to reduce logistics costs and transit time while helping decongest Mumbai’s railway network.

The project is among the most important JICA supported projects in India, covering the economically significant belt between Dadri and Mumbai. It will strengthen connectivity with major industrial clusters, logistics hubs and ports, facilitating more efficient movement of goods, and contribute to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions through greater use of rail-based freight transportation.

The WDFC project is a powerful symbol of India–Japan cooperation, combining India’s infrastructure development ambitions with Japan’s long-standing financial, technological and technical partnership. Its completion marks not only a major milestone for Indian Railways and DFCCIL, but also a new chapter in the two countries’ shared commitment to building resilient, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for economic growth.

About Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is Japan’s primary governmental agency responsible for delivering official development assistance (ODA) to partner countries worldwide. JICA plays a central role in advancing international cooperation and sustainable development for 145 countries including India.
(Link) https://www.jica.go.jp/english/overseas/india/index.html