Indian Railways has achieved a major milestone in freight performance, crossing the 1-billion-tonne mark in FY 2025-26. As of November 19, cumulative loading reached 1020 Million Tonnes (MT), underscoring its role as a backbone of India’s economy.
Sectoral Contributions
Coal remained the largest contributor with 505 MT, followed by iron ore (115 MT), cement (92 MT), container traffic (59 MT), pig iron & finished steel (47 MT), fertilisers (42 MT), mineral oil (32 MT), foodgrains (30 MT), raw materials for steel plants (20 MT approx.) and other goods (74 MT).
Daily freight loading continues to hold strong at 4.4 MT, surpassing last year’s average of 4.2 MT. Between April and October 2025, freight loading touched 935.1 MT, compared to 906.9 MT during the same period last year, marking healthy year-on-year growth.
Infrastructure and Reforms
Recognising the critical role of cement in infrastructure growth, Railways has rolled out reforms such as the Policy for Bulk Cement Terminals and rationalised rates for cement movement in containers. These measures aim to increase bulk handling capacity, reduce transit time, and lower logistics costs, directly benefiting industry players and consumers.
Sustainability and Efficiency
Shifting bulk cargo to rail offers multiple benefits:
- Reduces carbon emissions
- Decongests highways
- Provides greener, cost-efficient logistics solutions for industries, including MSMEs
These developments align with India’s Net Zero Carbon Emission targets, positioning Railways as a catalyst for both economic and environmental progress.
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