NewzVille Desk
Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in freight performance during 2025–26, setting a new record in cargo transport and further strengthening its role as the backbone of the nation’s logistics network. This achievement reflects sustained improvements in operational efficiency, capacity augmentation, and growing reliance on rail-based transportation by key sectors of the economy.
Indian Railways carried a record 1670 Million Tonnes (MT) of freight, registering a growth of 3.25% over the previous year.
The strong performance was complemented by a 4.56% increase in the number of wagons handled, which rose from 2,79,12,271 in 2024–25 to 2,91,86,475 in 2025–26.
The steady rise in freight loading highlights the increasing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and efficient logistics solutions, positioning Railways as a preferred mode of transport for bulk commodities.
The growth has been largely driven by key sectors such as Fertilisers (13.49%), ‘Pig Iron and Steel’ (13.11%) due to the rising demand for agricultural inputs across regions and the continued expansion of industrial activity, particularly in the steel sector.
The infrastructure commodities have also played a crucial role in sustaining this momentum. Iron Ore transportation increased by 6.74%, reaching 190.12 MT, while Cement loading grew by 4.74% to 157.17 MT.
Zone-wise loading performance during 2025–26 reflects broad-based growth across several regions, with South Western Railway (SWR) recording the highest increase of 14.89% over the previous year. Other zones also had strong double-digit growths.
