The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement with the central government to expand about Rs 7,517 crore to the western part of the special freight railway project.

JICA said the soft loan will be extended under the official development assistance window of the government of Japan. Phase II of the project includes the development of a new 550 km freight line connecting Dadri-Rewari and Vadodara-Mumbai.

The railway project will create the largest industrial belt in the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor by connecting the industrial parks and ports between Delhi and Mumbai.

The project aims to increase freight transport demand by developing a new dedicated freight rail system between New Delhi and Mumbai, promoting comprehensive regional economic development along the corridor area as the backbone of the industrial corridor development plan between Delhi and Mumbai.