Indian Railways freight loading hits record 145.07 million tonnes in October
Indian Railways recorded an 8.32% increase in freight loading in October 2026, led by higher food grain and domestic coal transportation. Cumulative loading during April–October also exceeded the year-ago level.
The growth was led by food grains and domestic coal, with several other commodity categories also reporting higher loading, according to data released by the Ministry of Railways on November 4.
NEW DELHI: Indian Railways registered its highest-ever freight loading for October, transporting 145.07 million tonnes of goods during the month, an increase of 8.32% over the 133.93 million tonnes recorded in October 2025.
The growth was led by food grains and domestic coal, with several other commodity categories also reporting higher loading, according to data released by the Ministry of Railways on November 4.
Food grain loading increased by 26.3% year-on-year, while domestic coal loading grew by 16%. Balance other goods registered an increase of 11%, followed by clinker at 10.4%, domestic containers at 6.3%, iron ore at 5%, mineral oil at 1.9% and finished steel at 0.5%.
Coal transportation to power houses increases
Indian Railways increased domestic coal transportation to meet the requirements of power houses. The average number of coal rakes supplied per day rose to 469.8 in October 2026, compared with 393.2 in the corresponding month last year, representing growth of 19.5%.
The October performance contributed to higher cumulative freight movement during the first seven months of the financial year 2026-27.
During April–October 2026, Indian Railways loaded 978.78 million tonnes of freight, compared with 935.10 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year, registering growth of 4.67%.
Passenger traffic also records growth
Passenger transportation also registered an increase during October. Indian Railways carried 64.72 crore passengers during the month, compared with 63.52 crore in October 2025.
For April–October 2026, passenger traffic reached 443.8 crore, against 431.4 crore during the corresponding period last year.
The non-suburban passenger segment recorded growth of 4.2%, while suburban traffic increased by 1.7%.
The latest figures indicate higher freight and passenger movement across the railway network. The increase in freight loading, particularly in food grains and domestic coal, also highlights the railways’ role in transporting essential commodities and supporting the country’s logistics requirements.
