Indian Railways freight loading rises 9% to 141.3 MT in July 2026
New Delhi, August 3
Indian Railways recorded a 9 per cent year-on-year growth in freight loading in July 2026, handling 141.3 million tonnes compared with 129.7 million tonnes in the corresponding month last year, according to the Ministry of Railways.
The ministry said the growth reflected sustained demand across key sectors of the economy and continued efforts to improve freight logistics and operational efficiency.
Loading of major commodities recorded strong growth during the month. Iron ore loading increased 22.2 per cent year-on-year, while fertilizer loading rose 12 per cent. Food grains and coal loading each grew 11.5 per cent, while loading of balance other goods increased 12.1 per cent.
The rise in coal demand from thermal power plants also led Indian Railways to step up domestic coal supplies to power plants by 20 per cent in July compared with the same month last year. The ministry said the increased movement of key commodities supported industry, agriculture and energy security.
Higher freight volumes also translated into stronger revenue generation. Indian Railways recorded incremental freight revenue of Rs 1,137 crore over July 2025, representing an 8 per cent increase.
Among zonal railways, East Central Railway and Eastern Railway recorded the highest freight revenue growth at 33 per cent each. West Central Railway reported a 23 per cent increase, while South Eastern Railway registered 10.33 per cent growth.
Passenger traffic also continued to expand during July. Indian Railways carried 63.35 crore passengers during the month, compared with 62.19 crore in July 2025. The ministry said passenger traffic increased across both suburban and non-suburban segments, reflecting growing preference for rail travel.
The latest performance comes as Indian Railways continues to focus on strengthening freight logistics, expanding rail capacity and improving passenger services. The ministry said sustained improvements in operational efficiency, capacity augmentation and customer-centric initiatives would help strengthen the rail network's role in supporting economic growth, energy security and mobility across the country.
The increase in freight movement, particularly of iron ore, coal, fertilizers and food grains, underscores the continued importance of the rail network in transporting critical commodities and supporting industrial and agricultural activity.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The 12% growth in fertilizer loading is crucial for our farmers. With kharif season in full swing, timely fertilizer delivery through railways ensures our agricultural sector doesn't face any hiccups. Good coordination between agriculture and railways departments, it seems.
Impressive numbers from Indian Railways! The 22% jump in iron ore loading shows strong industrial activity. I've been reading about the modernisation efforts and this data seems to confirm the investments are paying off. Looking forward to seeing the freight corridor projects further boost these numbers.
The 8% increase in revenue is good, but with 63 crore passengers, I hope they also invest in passenger amenities. The idea is to have more Vande Bharat trains and better station facilities. Freight is important, but our common citizen also travels daily on these trains and faces overcrowding issues.
It is good news that East Central Railway and Eastern Railway grew by 33%. These zones connect our coal belt and mineral-rich areas, so this growth shows that the mining and power sectors are picking up. But still need to improve the speed of freight trains and reduce turnaround time at terminals.
Solid performance by Indian Railways, no doubt. The 9% growth is noteworthy especially considering the global economic headwinds. The increase in food grain loading is also critical for maintaining food security across the country. Rail remains the backbone of Indian logistics.
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