East Central Railway (ECR) has achieved a significant milestone by recording its highest-ever revenue of ₹30,330 crore during the financial year 2025-26. This performance ranks ECR as the third highest revenue-earning zone in Indian Railways. The growth is backed by a record 25.3 crore passengers and a substantial increase in freight loading, which reached 203.42 million tonnes. To improve connectivity, 45 new trains including Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat express were introduced during this period.
Key performance data of East Central Railway
The railway zone saw a massive surge in both passenger and freight sectors. The total passenger revenue stood at ₹4,917 crore, which is a 6.89 percent increase from the previous year. To manage the heavy passenger rush, the zone operated 14,559 special train trips. Freight loading surpassed the 200 million tonne mark for the second year in a row, reaching a new high of 203.42 million tonnes.
| Category | Performance in FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | ₹30,330 Crore |
| Total Passengers | 25.3 Crore |
| Passenger Revenue | ₹4,917 Crore |
| Freight Loading | 203.42 Million Tonnes |
| New Trains Launched | 45 (Vande Bharat & Amrit Bharat) |
| Special Train Trips | 14,559 trips |
Safety updates and upcoming recruitment
The Railway Ministry has sanctioned ₹1,822 crore to install the indigenous ‘Kavach’ safety system across 2,200 route kilometers of the ECR network. This project aims to prevent train collisions and is expected to be completed within the next 18 months. Along with safety upgrades, the ministry approved the recruitment of 6,565 technicians across India, with 186 posts specifically allocated for East Central Railway. New passenger-friendly rules regarding ticket upgrades and boarding station changes will also be implemented from April 2026.
- Kavach Safety: ₹1,822 crore approved for 2200 km coverage in ECR.
- New Trains: Focus on Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat for faster travel.
- Recruitment: 186 new technician posts for the zone.
- Rule Change: Passengers can change boarding stations 30 minutes before departure from April 2026.