Indian Railways Surpasses 1 Billion Tonne Freight Loading in FY26 So Far

New Delhi- Indian Railways has crossed a major milestone in FY26, with cumulative freight loading surpassing 1 billion tonnes — reaching 1,020 million tonnes (MT) as of November 19, the Ministry of Railways announced on Saturday. The achievement underscores the growing strength of the Railways in supporting India's expanding economy.

Coal continued to be the highest contributor with 505 MT, 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), foodgrains (30 MT), raw materials for steel plants (around 20 MT), and other goods (74 MT).

Daily loading remains robust at approximately 4.4 MT — higher than the 4.2 MT recorded last year — reflecting enhanced operational efficiency and sustained market demand.

Freight loading from April to October also showed encouraging growth, reaching 935.1 MT this year compared to 906.9 MT in the same period last year, marking a notable year-on-year increase.

According to the ministry, “This sustained momentum, coupled with improved daily loading rates, highlights the Railways' ability to support India's industrial growth and infrastructure development.”

Recognising the vital role of cement in national infrastructure projects, Indian Railways has introduced several reforms to strengthen cement logistics. These include the new Policy for Bulk Cement Terminals and rationalised rates for moving bulk cement in containers — strategic steps aimed at modernising cement transport.

These initiatives will help increase bulk handling capacity, cut transit times, and reduce overall logistics costs, ultimately benefiting both industries and consumers while boosting supply-chain efficiency.

The ministry added that shifting bulk goods movement to rail delivers broader benefits: reduced carbon emissions, less road congestion, and greener logistics options for industries, including MSMEs.

These advances reinforce India's commitment to sustainable development, aligning freight operations with the country's Net Zero Carbon Emission goals and positioning Indian Railways as a driver of both economic progress and environmental responsibility.

With inputs from IANS