The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening trade routes between South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, has come under scrutiny for infrastructure gaps, particularly in India's eastern and central regions. A former member of the Railway Board has called for immediate attention to developing robust east-west rail connectivity to ensure the success of the ambitious corridor.
Speaking at a recent policy forum, the former official emphasized that while IMEEC is a transformative project with the potential to reshape global trade flows, the supporting domestic infrastructure must match its vision. “There are major deficiencies in east-west rail links within India, especially from the ports to industrial clusters and logistical hubs. Without addressing these, the corridor will not function at full capacity,” he said.
IMEEC, announced during the G20 Summit in 2023, is designed to offer a reliable trade alternative connecting India to Europe via the Middle East. The corridor includes a mix of railway, road, and shipping infrastructure to facilitate faster, cost-effective transportation of goods. However, experts now argue that without strengthening east-west links—especially from India’s eastern coast to the western corridor—the benefits may be uneven and limited.
At present, most of India’s rail freight infrastructure is oriented in a north-south direction, serving traditional trade and passenger routes. The east-west routes, particularly those connecting ports in Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh to central and western India, are underdeveloped and suffer from capacity constraints. This disconnect makes the efficient movement of goods to IMEEC’s western gateway ports more difficult and time-consuming.
Industry observers have noted that railways will play a critical role in this multi-modal initiative, both in terms of volume and efficiency. Enhanced rail infrastructure can significantly reduce dependence on road transport, lower emissions, and bring down logistics costs. The former Railway Board member urged the central government to prioritize investment in dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) and high-capacity east-west routes to support IMEEC operations.
Furthermore, integration with digital logistics platforms and customs systems is equally important, experts say. Seamless connectivity between rail terminals, inland container depots, and ports will be key to maintaining supply chain integrity across borders.
The call for better east-west connectivity also aligns with India’s internal economic goals. Eastern India, which includes resource-rich states and emerging industrial zones, has significant potential to contribute to the corridor. However, the lack of fast and reliable rail connections to western export hubs limits the region’s participation in global trade.
In summary, while IMEEC is a visionary step toward enhancing India's role in international logistics, the success of the project depends heavily on filling existing gaps in domestic rail infrastructure. As policy discussions continue, there is a growing consensus that targeted investment in east-west rail networks is not just necessary—it is essential for IMEEC’s long-term viability.
