Amazon India has expanded its operations on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor in partnership with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd, a state-owned enterprise of the Indian Ministry of Railways. This was announced following the launch of a train at New Dadri station on Tuesday.
This expansion makes Amazon the first e-commerce company to utilize the first Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) train on the WDFC. Daily rail transport will connect Amazon's northern and western networks, with over 10 wagons running on the route for parcels (Van Parcels).
This transition will allow cargo to move from road transport to rail, thereby strengthening multimodality and ensuring more reliable and eco-friendly transportation. The corridor will connect Amazon's network in key regions, including Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Surat, with further destinations in Pune, Mumbai, and Goa, supporting cargo movement ahead of the festive season.
This expansion enhances the significance of rail transport in Amazon's multimodal transport network in North and West India. It also continues the long-standing collaboration with Indian Railways, which began in 2019 when Amazon became the first e-commerce company in India to use the railway network for express parcel delivery.
Amazon India reported that its rail network has grown from one train in 2019 to over 140 trains operating on 130 intercity routes covering more than 100 destination cities. Kishor Lanka, Director of Operations for Amazon India, stated: 'By expanding the use of dedicated freight infrastructure, we are increasing multimodality in our transport network and using the railway as an economical, reliable, and sustainable mode of transport. We look forward to further deepening our collaboration with Indian Railways and DFCCIL to strengthen our logistics network, improve operational efficiency, and support the changing needs of our customers across India.'
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), spanning approximately 1504 kilometers, extends from New Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) near Mumbai. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) are designed to reduce congestion on the existing railway network, increase the average speed of freight trains, accommodate heavy-haul trains, and connect ports and industrial zones for faster cargo delivery and reduced overall logistics costs.
Manoj Singh, a member of the Railway Board (Operations and Business Development), noted: 'DFC offers a more eco-friendly, faster, and reliable mode of transport, allowing cargo to travel overnight and arrive at its destination the next day. With the capacity to transport 350–400 tons within 24 hours, this service represents an economical and sustainable solution for freight transport, including opportunities for small businesses to utilize the DFC network.'