THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) overseas development assistance (ODA) has agreed a loan of US$18.5 million with the Indian government for phase two of a dedicated freight corridor (DFC) project on the western corridor between Delhi and Mumbai.

The loan will fund the building of 552 kilometres of track with fully automated signals and communication systems, high-speed trains and a review of the infrastructure design and help towards preparation of a tender process, said an American Shipper report.

"It is hoped that the cooperative implementation of the DFC Project by Japan and India will become a new symbol of partnership between the two countries," JICA said in a statement of Japan's ongoing support of India's transport system since 2002 and its initial loan of $1 billion on 2009 for the first phase of the corridor.

Source: shipping online