4.5 KM LONG FREIGHT TRAIN FOR THE  FIRST TIME IN ECR

4.5 KM LONG FREIGHT TRAIN FOR THE  FIRST TIME IN ECR

9-AUG-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Division (DDU Division) of East Central Railway has achieved another major achievement in the direction of increasing the freight capacity and efficiency of work. On 07.08.2025, a long freight train named "Rudrastra" made by joining six empty boxon rakes was successfully run for the first time in the entire Indian Railways from Ganjkhwaja station of DDU Division. This freight train was about 4.5 km long, which is the longest freight train of Indian Railways till date. Today, "Rudrastra" covered a distance of 200 km from Ganjkhwaja station to Garhwa Road station in 05.00 hours at an average speed of 40 km.

"Rudrastra" was prepared by joining six empty boxon rakes, which includes a total of 354 wagons. 07 engines were installed to run this freight train. The 'Rudrastra' goods train, formed by joining all the six rakes from Ganjkhwaja station, was flagged off for Garhwa Road at 2:20 pm. This goods train ran on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from Ganjkhwaja of DDU division to Sonnagar and then on the normal track of Indian Railways towards Garhwa Road.

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Division of East Central Railway is one of the most important divisions of Indian Railways, which plays an important role in delivering empty goods trains on time to Dhanbad Division for loading coal and other goods. Here the coaches of goods trains are checked and repaired on a large scale. After the inspection, a goods train is prepared by joining completely fine coaches, which is further sent to Dhanbad Division so that goods can be loaded there.

The successful operation of "Rudrastra" is an example of better working ability of DDU Division, coordination between departments and good management. This will increase both the speed and capacity of freight transportation. If these goods trains were run separately, then six separate routes and crews would have to be arranged for all of them. Running together as Rudrastra will save a lot of time and also provide space for running more trains. The successful operation of the 4.5 km long 'Rudrastra' goods train is a great example of new thinking and innovation of DDU division.