Press Release

The project is part of enhancing the freight logistical infrastructure for improved regional development

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, September 30, 2022: The Government of Japan joined in the inauguration of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor's 70km-long Palanpur - Mehsana (Gujarat) Section. Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, graced the event with his presence. Japan has been providing funds and expertise for the approximately 1,500km- long dedicated freight railway system, being constructed, under the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor project, along the Industrial Corridor between Dadri-Delhi and Mumbai.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. KAWAZU Kunihiko, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan said, "Western Dedicated Freight Corridor project is an important venture of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) initiative. This project is an epitome of Japan-India collaboration on comprehensive infrastructure development. It creates India's largest industrial belt zone by linking industrial parks and harbors of six states between Delhi and Mumbai in order to promote trade, foreign export and direct investment. Japanese companies such as Nippon Koei, Oriental Consultants Global, Hitachi, MITSUI & CO, Sojitz, JFE Engineering and IHI Infrastructure Systems are playing an important role in the development of this priority project. We look forward to continue working with our Indian friends on this important project. We hope we can expect a contribution to the economic development in India by significant enhancement of logistics."

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "JICA is committed towards the development of infrastructure in India. Western Dedicated Freight Corridor project is one of the most important JICA supported projects, covering the areas between Dadri in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai where significant commercial and industrial development is seen. By meeting the higher growth rate expected by seamless freight transportation in these areas, the Project will make a far-reaching contribution towards India's economic development. Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) under the Ministry of Railways, the executing agency, has been relentlessly working with contractors of Indian & Japanese consortium to achieve this significant milestone. JICA would like DFCCIL, contractors and Project Management Consultants to continue making tireless efforts for further works progress until the completion of the entire 1500km corridor."

JICA has extended a cumulative total of 580,787 million Japanese yen in ODA loans (approximately INR 33,000 crore) for Western Dedicated Freight Corridor project up to now. JICA is further exploring the possibility of continuing its assistance for this project so as to support this project and help India's efforts on modernization of freight transportation.

Official Link of Embassy of Japan

• Website (external link)
• Facebook (external link)
• Twitter: Satoshi Suzuki (external link)
• Twitter: Embassy of Japan in India (external link)

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure (PDF)
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Aishwarya Mishra
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora Sachdeva
(+91) 9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com