New Delhi, Nov 27: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave an in-principal approval to the Dedicated Multi-Modal High Axle Load Freight Corridor (DFC) Project on Eastern and Western corridors at an estimated total cost of Rs.28,181 crore.

“The CCEA gave its in-principle approval to the Dedicated Multi-Modal High Axle Load Freight Corridor on Eastern Corridor and Western Corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 28,181 crore," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

The whole corridor will be having Computerised Train Control System. On Eastern side, the corridor will be from Ludhiana and Sonnagar and on Western side, the corridor will connect Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai to Tughlakabad/Dadri near Delhi.

“The Eastern corridor would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 11,859 crore and the Western corridor would cost about Rs 16,592 crore,” he said.

The project will immensely benefit ports, exporters, importers, shipping lines and container operators by the western corridor and coal companies, steel plants and thermal power stations by the eastern corridor.

The project will provide the must needed rail infrastructure for growth of Indian economy and EXIM trade.

The project will also generate indirect employment during construction phase.

The Eastern corridor as approved by the CCEA in its meeting on February 21, 2006 will start from Ludhiana in Punjab and terminate at Sonnagar, via Ambala, Sharanpur, Khurja and Allahabad.

“However, in view of the representation from the Government of West Bengal and also considering the possibility of increase in freight traffic on account of proposed deep sea port, Eastern corridor will be extended up to the proposed port in Kolkata area,” the Minister added.

The completion period of the project is expected to be five years.

RITES is conducting a Pre-Feasibility Study of Sonnagar-Kolkata portion of the Eastern corridor. CCEA will be approached for the approval of extension project after completion of the study. (ANI)