Indian freight corridor nears approval

International Railway Journal, August, 2008

FINANCIAL closure for Indian Railways' (IR) ambitious Golden Triangle freight corridor construction projects is nearing completion, and assistance from the World Bank is being sought for the 1190km Eastern corridor from Son Nagar to Tandarikalan.

IR is expected to invest Rs 33 billion ($US 771 million) in the Rs 300 billion project initially, with the remainder being funded by borrowing. Japan Bank for International Cooperation has already expressed interest in investing Rs 12 billion, and is examining the potential of the Western freight corridor, which will run for 1483km from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

Last month the Indian government approved the Mumbai--Ludhiana stretch of the Golden Triangle.