DFC-enabled services link Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority with inland container depots across North India and Gujarat, aiming to expand rail freight capacity and improve cargo movement. DP World has launched two Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)-enabled double-stack rail services connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) with inland container depots (ICDs) across the National Capital Region (NCR) and Gujarat, strengthening rail connectivity between the maritime gateway and major inland markets. The first service, operational since September 2026, connects JNPA with DP World's inland container depot network at Pali/Rewari, Jhattipur–Panipat and Modinagar in the NCR. The second service links the port with ICD Sachana in Gujarat, extending double-stack rail connectivity to industrial and commercial centres around Ahmedabad. The new services are designed to increase rail freight capacity, support faster transit and improve the predictability of cargo movements for exporters, importers and domestic businesses. DFC infrastructure supports higher-capacity rail freight The services use Dedicated Freight Corridor infrastructure to facilitate higher-capacity double-stack container operations between JNPA and the inland terminals. By integrating port connectivity with inland rail infrastructure, DP World aims to improve cargo movement between India's maritime gateway and its major production and consumption centres. Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager, Subcontinent (India), DP World, said the expansion of double-stack rail connectivity through the DFC was an important step towards improving logistics efficiency. He noted that connecting JNPA with key markets across the NCR and Gujarat could help businesses move cargo faster, reduce logistics costs and develop more resilient supply chains. Adhendru Jain, Vice President – Rail and Inland Terminals, SCO, DP World, said the expansion aligned with the government's National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti initiatives, which focus on strengthening multimodal connectivity across ports, rail networks and inland markets. He added that combining dedicated freight infrastructure, higher-capacity rail operations and DP World's inland network was intended to provide customers with more efficient and predictable cargo movement while supporting a cost-efficient freight system. Connectivity extends to major industrial clusters The new rail connections are expected to support a range of industries across Gujarat and North India, including automotive, engineering, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and home furnishings. For businesses serving these markets, additional rail freight options could improve the movement of containerised cargo between manufacturing centres, inland logistics facilities and the port. The availability of higher-capacity rail services may also help operators plan cargo flows more effectively. By providing an alternative to road-based long-haul freight, the services are intended to strengthen gateway-to-hinterland connectivity and support multimodal logistics planning. Actual gains in transit time and logistics costs will depend on route operations, cargo volumes, handling arrangements and coordination between port and inland facilities. Multimodal logistics remains a strategic priority The expansion reflects the growing emphasis on connecting maritime gateways with inland logistics infrastructure to improve the movement of goods across India's supply chains. The National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti initiatives seek to improve coordination among transport modes and infrastructure networks. Rail services that integrate port operations with inland container depots can contribute to these objectives by providing businesses with more transport choices. For DP World, the new connections add to its inland logistics network and extend double-stack rail services from JNPA to important commercial markets in North India and Gujarat. The next measure of success will be the extent to which the services attract regular cargo volumes, improve operational reliability and deliver competitive end-to-end logistics costs for customers. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates