The government has decided to take up the development of the Sonnagar (Bihar) andNew Andal(West Bengal) stretch of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) in the first phase rather than laying the rail corridor up toDankuni.

Sources in the Dfccil, which is implementing the project, said they have about 95% of land available with them for the 374 km stretch between Sonnagar and New Andal and hence it can be bid out quickly. For the remaining stretch, they have hardly 55% land under their possession.

The private player will be responsible for design, finance (for 75% of project cost), build, operation and maintenance for the contract period and then will transfer the project to the DFCCIL.