Indian Railways records major freight growth in July 2026 with 141 million tonnes loaded
Indian Railways has achieved a landmark performance in July 2026, recording a significant surge in freight operations. The national transporter successfully loaded 141.3 million tonnes (MT) of freight, reflecting a robust 9% year-on-year growth compared to the 129.7 MT recorded in July 2025. This achievement has resulted in an incremental freight revenue of ₹1,137 crore, marking an 8% increase over the same period last year. Beyond freight, the network also saw an uptick in passenger traffic, transporting 63.35 crore passengers in July 2026, up from 62.19 crore in July 2025.
Key highlights of the July 2026 freight performance include:
- 141.3 MT total freight loaded, a 9% rise from July 2025.
- ₹1,137 crore increase in freight revenue.
- 22.2% growth in iron ore and 11.5% in coal and food grains.
- 20% boost in domestic coal supply to thermal power plants.
- Record performance across East Central, Eastern, West Central, and South Western Railways.
Drivers of Growth and Zonal Success
The impressive growth was fueled by sustained demand across core economic sectors. Commodity-wise, iron ore led the charge with a 22.2% increase, while coal, food grains, and fertilizers followed with double-digit growth. To meet rising national energy demands, Indian Railways specifically prioritized the logistics chain, increasing coal supply to thermal power plants by 20%. Experts suggest that favorable weather conditions in mineral-rich states allowed for uninterrupted mining operations, which further bolstered industrial output and rail transport.
Zonal performance was particularly noteworthy. The East Central Railway and Eastern Railway saw a 33% growth in freight revenue, while the West Central Railway reported a 23% increase. Additionally, the South Western Railway hit a historic milestone by handling 4.69 MT of originating freight, marking an 11.7% year-on-year rise.
Future Outlook for Rail Logistics
Looking toward the future, the Railway Board is focused on expanding its presence in the logistics market. Rajesh Agarwal, Additional Member (Works) of the Railway Board, confirmed on July 31, 2026, that Indian Railways aims to increase its freight transport modal share from the current 24% to 40% over the next five to ten years. This ambitious roadmap relies on major procedural reforms and the continuous improvement of operational efficiency to ensure the national transporter remains the backbone of the Indian economy.