Indian Railways update: Highest ever freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes recorded in FY 2025-26
Indian Railways has achieved its highest-ever freight loading performance by transporting 1,670 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2025-26. This performance represents a 3.25% growth compared to the 1,617 million tonnes recorded in the previous year. The Ministry of Railways announced these figures on April 1, 2026, confirming the carrier’s expanding role in national logistics.
ℹ️: Indian Railways achieves record locomotive production with major growth in manufacturing units।
Major commodities driving the growth
The increase in freight loading was supported by several key sectors during the last fiscal year. Fertilizers and steel witnessed the highest jump in transportation volume across the rail network. The rise in these specific commodities highlights the increasing demand for agricultural inputs and industrial raw materials.
- Fertilizers: Increased by 13.49% to support the agricultural sector
- Pig Iron and Steel: Saw a growth of 13.11% due to industrial activity
- Iron Ore: Recorded a 6.74% rise in transportation volume
- Cement: Grew by 4.74% compared to the last fiscal year
Operational efficiency and infrastructure updates
To handle this massive volume, the railways increased the total number of wagons used by 4.56% during the year. The government also focused on improving connectivity through the commissioning of 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals. While the final figure was slightly lower than the internal target of 1,702 million tonnes, the overall revenue collection saw a significant boost.
| Category | Performance Data for FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Total Freight Loaded | 1,670 Million Tonnes |
| Wagons Handled | 2.91 Crore |
| Freight Revenue (Till Feb) | Rs 1.61 Lakh Crore |
| New Terminals | 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals |