Indian Railways has reported a landmark achievement in freight operations for FY26, transporting a record 1.67 billion tonnes, reflecting a 3.25% increase over the previous year. The surge has been primarily driven by heightened movement of key commodities in India’s core sectors. Fertilizer freight rose by 13.49%, pig iron and finished steel by 13.11%, iron ore by 6.74%, and cement by 4.74%. The number of wagons handled also grew 4.56% to 29,186,475 units, highlighting improved network efficiency and throughput. Although the national transporter narrowly missed its ambitious target of 1.7 billion tonnes, this performance underscores Indian Railways’ pivotal role in the nation’s logistics ecosystem and bulk commodity supply.
Freight revenue maintained an upward trajectory, with earnings reaching Rs. 1.61 lakh crore (US$17.42 billion) between April 2025 and February 2026, compared to Rs. 1.59 lakh crore (US$17.20 billion) in the same period last year. Sustained high freight rates are supported by initiatives such as dedicated freight corridors, Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, digital freight management platforms, and multimodal logistics integration, which have enhanced reliability and reduced costs for industries across the country.
Looking ahead, Indian Railways has set ambitious targets for FY27, projecting freight loading of 1,765 million tonnes. The consistent growth in freight traffic is expected to further reinforce India’s supply chain resilience while supporting infrastructure-led economic expansion. By efficiently moving essential bulk commodities like steel, cement, and fertilizers, Indian Railways continues to strengthen the backbone of the country’s economy and its industrial logistics capabilities.
These strategic efforts reflect the national transporter’s commitment to modernising its operations and expanding its freight network, paving the way for long-term sustainability and increased competitiveness in the logistics sector.
