Indian Railways crosses 1 billion tonnes of freight loading mark so far in FY26
New Delhi: Indian Railways’ freight performance is boosting India’s economy, with total loading crossing the 1 billion tonne mark this year — reaching 1020 million tonnes (MT) so far, the Railway Ministry said on Saturday.
This milestone reflects the massive support received from key sectors. Coal was the largest contributor at 505 MT till November 19, followed by iron ore (115 MT), cement (92 MT), container traffic (59 MT), pig iron and finished steel (47 MT), fertilisers (42 MT), mineral oil (32 MT), food grains (30 MT), raw material for steel plants (around 20 MT), and other goods (74 MT).
The ministry stated that daily loading remained strong at around 4.4 MT, up from 4.2 MT last year, reflecting improved operational efficiency and consistent demand.
Freight loading between April and October further reflects this positive trend, reaching 935.1 MT in 2025, compared to 906.9 MT during the same period last year, showing good year-on-year growth.
“This consistent momentum, combined with improved daily loading rates, demonstrates the railways’ ability to support India’s industrial expansion and infrastructure development,” the ministry said in a statement.
Recognizing the crucial role of cement in India’s infrastructure growth, the railways has taken major steps to optimize the logistics capabilities of this segment.
The recent rollout of major reforms, including a policy for bulk cement terminals and rationalized rates for bulk cement movement in containers, represents a strategic initiative to modernize cement transportation.
According to the statement, these measures aim to increase bulk handling capacity, reduce transit times, and lower logistics costs, directly benefiting both industry players and end consumers and driving greater supply chain efficiency.
Such targeted interventions promote sectoral transformation.
Shifting bulk goods movement from rail has multiple benefits that go beyond just commercial metrics. It reduces carbon footprint, reduces highway congestion, and provides green logistics solutions to industries, including MSMEs.
The ministry said these developments strengthen India’s commitment to sustainable growth, align freight operations with the country’s journey towards net zero carbon emissions targets and position railways as a catalyst for economic and environmental progress.
