Indian Railways continues to strengthen the nation’s logistics backbone with its exceptional freight performance year after year. In FY 2025–26, Indian Railway Freight Loading crossed the 1-billion-tonne mark, reaching 1020 MT by 19 November 2025—highlighting the resilience, efficiency, and expanding capacity of the national transporter.

Backed by strong contributions from coal, iron ore, cement, containers, and other key sectors, Indian Railways is rapidly transforming India’s supply chain ecosystem. With rising daily averages, improved operational practices, and targeted policy reforms, freight operations are set to play a pivotal role in India’s economic and environmental progress.

Indian Railway Freight Loading FY 2025–26: A New Milestone

As per official data, Indian Railways has achieved remarkable performance in FY 25–26:

• Cumulative Freight Loading (as of 19 November 2025): 1020 MT
• Daily loading: ~4.4 MT (higher than 4.2 MT last year)
• Sector contributions:
  • Coal: 505 MT
  • Iron Ore: 115 MT
  • Cement: 92 MT
  • Containers: 59 MT
  • Pig Iron & Finished Steel: 47 MT
  • Fertilisers: 42 MT
  • Mineral Oil: 32 MT
  • Foodgrains: 30 MT
  • Raw Materials for Steel: ~20 MT
  • Other Goods: 74 MT

These numbers reflect strong industrial demand and enhanced operational efficiency.

April–October 2025: Consistent Upward Trajectory

Between April and October 2025, freight loading reached 935.1 MT, significantly higher than 906.9 MT during the same period last year. This consistent momentum underscores the Railways’ robust logistics infrastructure and its growing role in supporting national economic expansion.

Policy Reforms Boosting Cement & Bulk Cargo Movement

Indian Railways has introduced several transformative reforms to optimise cement transportation—one of India’s fastest-growing freight segments:

• Bulk Cement Terminal Policy
• Rationalised Container Rates for Cement
• Reduced transit times and improved logistics efficiency
• Enhanced bulk handling capacity
• Lower logistics cost for industries and consumers

These targeted interventions make rail freight more attractive, modern, and competitive.

Environmental & Economic Benefits of Rail-Based Freight

Shifting bulk cargo from road to rail offers numerous advantages:

✔ Reduced Carbon Emissions

Rail transport is significantly more environment-friendly compared to roadways, aligning with India’s Net Zero goals.

✔ Lower Highway Congestion

Reduced heavy truck movement leads to safer, smoother roads.

✔ Cost-Efficient Logistics

Rail provides economical long-distance transportation, especially for bulk goods.

✔ Boost to MSMEs

Affordable logistics enables smaller industries to scale efficiently.

✔ National Integration

Railways connect remote regions with urban centres, ensuring equitable supply distribution.

Historical Performance: How Indian Railway Freight Loading Has Grown

FY 2022–23 Achievements

• Freight Loading: 1512 MT (up by 94 MT from previous year)
• NTKMs: 903 Billion (highest ever)
• Coal loading increased by: 74.6 MT
• Container traffic: +5 MT
• Automobile loading: 65% growth
• Coal to powerhouses: 569 MT (17.3% rise)

Passenger Business Highlights

• Passenger numbers jumped from 344 Cr to 623 Cr
• Freight revenue: ₹1.6 Lakh Crore
• Passenger revenue: ₹60,000 Crore
• Combined revenue: ₹2.2 Lakh Crore

Freight Loading Performance in 2023–24

Cumulative April 2023 – February 2024

• Freight loading: 1434.01 MT
• Freight earnings: ₹1,55,557 Crore

February 2024

• Freight Loaded: 136.60 MT (10.13% YoY growth)
• Freight Revenue: ₹14,931.89 Crore

Category-wise Loading (Feb 2024)

• Coal: 59.08 MT
• Iron Ore: 15.11 MT
• Cement: 7.59 MT
• Clinker: 5.45 MT
• Foodgrains: 5.10 MT
• Fertilisers: 3.96 MT
• Containers: 7 MT
• Mineral Oil: 4.06 MT
• Other Goods: 10.66 MT

The continued implementation of business-friendly policies and the “Hungry for Cargo” approach has strengthened customer trust and service delivery.

Why Indian Railway Freight Loading Matters

Indian Railway Freight Loading is more than just a metric—it represents:

• Strong national supply chains
• Reliable industrial growth
• Efficient logistics for bulk commodities
• Lower environmental footprint
• Accessible transportation for remote regions
• Enhanced revenue to strengthen rail infrastructure

From coal to containers, every freight segment contributes to nation-building.

Conclusion

Indian Railway Freight Loading continues to break records and set new benchmarks year after year. With improved operational efficiency, policy reforms, sustainability initiatives, and customer-centric strategies, Indian Railways is firmly positioned as a global logistics leader.

As India accelerates towards becoming a $5-trillion economy, the role of Railways in freight movement will be more crucial than ever—driving growth, connectivity, and sustainability.

FAQs on Indian Railway Freight Loading

1. What is Indian Railway Freight Loading?

It refers to the total quantity of goods transported by Indian Railways during a specific period, measured in million tonnes (MT).

2. Which commodity contributes the most to railway freight?

Coal is the largest contributor, accounting for nearly half of total freight loading each year.

3. Why is rail freight preferred over road transport?

Rail freight is:

• More cost-effective
• Environment-friendly
• Safer for bulk and long-distance transportation

4. What was the freight loading milestone in FY 2025–26?

Indian Railways crossed 1 billion tonnes, achieving 1020 MT by November 2025.

5. How does Indian Railways support industries?

By offering:

• Lower logistics costs
• Specialized freight policies
• Improved handling facilities
• Faster and reliable delivery

6. What is the “Hungry for Cargo” initiative?

It is a customer-focused drive by Indian Railways to attract more freight by simplifying rules, reducing charges, and enhancing service quality.

7. How does freight loading help India’s economy?

Higher freight loading boosts revenue, supplies industries, supports exports, and strengthens national connectivity—driving economic growth.