The Indian Railways has achieved a 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.
The national transporter carried 1,670 million tonnes (mt) of freight in the just completed financial year, the highest level achieved so far, even though growth remained modest at 3.25% over the previous fiscal. In FY25, the carried 1,617 mt of freight, according to a railway ministry statement.
The freight 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 rise in freight loading highlights the increasing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and efficient logistics solutions, positioning the railways as a preferred mode of transport for bulk commodities, the ministry’s statement said.
The growth has been largely driven by key sectors such as (13.49%), pig iron and steel (13.11%). This reflects both the rising demand for agricultural inputs across regions and the continued expansion of industrial activity, particularly in the sector, the statement said.
Coal freight carriage declined marginally to 819 mt in FY26 from 823 mt in FY25, amid subdued power demand, as the early onset and prolonged monsoon resulted in almost flat coal consumption.
Core infrastructure commodities have also played an important role in sustaining this momentum, with iron ore transport increasing by 6.74%, reaching 190.12 mt, while cement loading grew by 4.74% to 157.17 mt. These trends indicate ongoing infrastructure development and construction activity across the country, where the railways continues to serve as a vital logistics partner, the statement said.
The South Western Railway led a broad-based regional expansion with 14.89% growth, followed by double-digit gains in the North Central Railway, East Coast Railway, and West Central Railway zones. This widespread performance across nearly all remaining zones underscores balanced regional development and enhanced freight capacity nationwide.
This consistent growth in both freight loading and earnings underscores the railways’ pivotal role in supporting India’s economic expansion. By offering a cost-efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable mode of transport, the railways continues to reduce logistics costs, ease congestion on road networks, and contribute to a greener and more efficient logistics ecosystem, the ministry said.
“This achievement reflects sustained improvements in operational efficiency, capacity augmentation, and growing reliance on rail-based transportation by key sectors of the economy,” said a former railway ministry official on condition of anonymity.
“…while GDP growth is in the range of 7% and growth of other transport sectors like road and air is in double digits, wagons handled at 4.5% being more than 3.25% growth of traffic indicates inefficiency,” said Subodh Kumar Jain, former member (engineering), Railway Board.