By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) inaugurated a state-of-the-art Crew Lobby and Running Room at the DDU Unit of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, marking a major step in enhancing employee welfare and operational efficiency.

The facility was inaugurated by Pravin Kumar, Managing Director, DFCCIL, in the presence of senior officials including Shobhit Bhatnagar, Director (Operations & Business Development); Pawan Kumar Rai, Director (Planning & Projects); Yatendra Kumar, PCEE; Rajnish Agarwal, DRM (Prayagraj); and Uday Singh Meena, DRM (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya).

Addressing the gathering, Atul Kumar, Chief General Manager (CGM/DDU), described the new building as a vital bridge between DFCCIL’s world-class freight infrastructure and the frontline Loco Pilots of Indian Railways. He emphasized that essential rest and mental peace for loco drivers are central to safe and efficient rail operations.

The modern facility offers 150 beds, a modular mess, a yoga center, and a library/reading room to ensure a stress-free and comfortable environment for crew members. An entire floor has been dedicated exclusively to Women Loco Pilots, equipped with specialized amenities to support increasing female participation in railway operations.

Built as a green building in line with IGBC Gold Certification standards, the structure uses Double Glazing Unit (DGU) glass and AAC blocks for enhanced thermal insulation and energy efficiency. It also features a 100 kW solar power plant.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director Pravin Kumar said the organization’s focus extends beyond track infrastructure to the well-being of the personnel who operate trains. He noted that the Running Room symbolizes DFCCIL’s commitment to safety, sustainability and respect for its workforce.

Under his leadership, DFCCIL has operationalized the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors and has been entrusted with the East–West Corridor project from Dankuni to Surat. The DDU project was completed within the stipulated timeline under the direction of CGM Atul Kumar and his team.